More than 600 military personnel from several countries are continuing the search for two American soldiers who went missing near Cap Draa, Morocco, during the African Lion military exercises. The search operation, now in its fifth day, involves ground teams, aircraft, and naval assets scouring the rugged terrain and coastal areas.
According to U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), the soldiers were reported missing on May 2, 2026, after they failed to return from a routine training activity. The multinational search effort includes troops from the United States, Morocco, and other partner nations participating in the annual African Lion drills.
Moroccan authorities have deployed additional resources to assist, including local police and civil protection units. The search area near Cap Draa is known for its difficult geography, with rocky cliffs and strong ocean currents, complicating the operation.
AFRICOM has not released the names of the missing soldiers pending notification of next of kin. The cause of their disappearance remains under investigation, with no evidence of hostile activity reported so far.
African Lion is the largest U.S. military exercise in Africa, involving thousands of troops from multiple countries. The current edition began in late April and is scheduled to run through mid-May.
