Updated May 3, 2026 — A search-and-rescue operation is underway in southern Morocco after two U.S. service members were reported missing off the country’s southern coast during annual training exercises. A U.S. defense official said the soldiers were last seen near ocean cliffs in the Cap Draa Training Area and initial information suggests they may have fallen into the sea. Sources described the event as a hiking accident unrelated to the training exercise and said no foul play is suspected.
Defense officials confirmed both missing personnel are U.S. Army soldiers; their names and additional details have not been released. Moroccan and U.S. military units, along with other participants in the exercise, have deployed ground teams, aircraft and maritime assets to search the area.
Organizers paused African Lion — the large, annual joint exercise led by U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) — Sunday so U.S. and Moroccan resources could be redirected to the recovery effort, reporters embedded with the forces said. Those reporters noted a basewide head count late Saturday, helicopters operating through the night and multiple planes, helicopters and drones observed along the coastline on Sunday.
African Lion brings together thousands of personnel from the United States, African partner nations and NATO allies to train across land, air, sea, cyber and space domains. This year’s exercise involves more than 7,000 personnel from over 30 nations and has placed growing emphasis on advanced technologies such as drones, autonomous systems and artificial intelligence, according to the Associated Press.
The training is taking place in a remote desert area where the Sahara meets the Atlantic near Cap Draa outside Tan Tan. The exercise has seen serious incidents in the past; in 2012, two U.S. Marines were killed and two others injured in a helicopter crash during African Lion, the Associated Press reported.
The search and rescue effort remains active as authorities continue to look for the missing soldiers. Further details will be released by officials as they become available.