African Lion 2021: Morocco To Host Military Maneuvers With The Participation Of 30 Countries
Under the high directives of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Supreme Commander and Chief of General Staff of the Royal Armed Forces, the joint Moroccan-American exercises “African Lion 2021” will be held from June 7 to 18, 2021 in the regions of Agadir, Tifnit, Tan Tan, Mahbes, Tafraout, Benguerir and Kenitra.
A communiqué by the General Staff of the Royal Armed Forces stated that in addition to the United States and Morocco, the 17th edition of this exercise will witness the participation of Britain, Brazil, Canada, Tunisia, Senegal, the Netherlands and Italy, as well as NATO and military observers from about thirty countries representing Africa, Europe and America.
The source added that this exercise, which is considered among the most important joint exercises in the world, has multiple objectives, including: strengthening the maneuvering capabilities of the participating units; enhancing interoperability among participants in the planning and implementation of joint operations within the framework of the Alliance; mastering military tactics; developing cyber defense skills; training the air component to conduct combat operations, support and air refueling; strengthening cooperation in maritime security and conducting naval exercises in naval tactics and conventional warfare; and finally, participating in humanitarian activities.
In this regard, a field medical-surgical hospital will be deployed in Amlen (Tafraout), where medical and surgical services will be provided for the benefit of the local population in the area, by medical teams consisting of doctors and nurses from the Royal Armed Forces and the US Army.
“African Lion 2021” is one of the major exercises organized and managed by the US Africa Command (AFRICOM) in partnership with the Royal Armed Forces, with the aim of enhancing the level of cooperation and training, increasing interoperability as well as enhancing the exchange of experiences and knowledge between various military components in order to achieve full operational capacity.