During the African Lion 2026 military exercise, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) Commander General Dagvin Anderson visited the Southern Zone Headquarters in Morocco to discuss bilateral military cooperation. The meeting included the awarding of the Legion of Merit, a U.S. military decoration, to Moroccan officers Colonel Major Berrid and Colonel Major Bensdira.
The Legion of Merit is awarded to members of foreign armed forces for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements. The decoration was presented in recognition of their contributions to U.S.-Morocco military cooperation.
African Lion is an annual joint military exercise between the United States and Morocco, involving multiple African and international partners. The 2026 edition focuses on interoperability, counterterrorism, and regional security.
