Two U.S. soldiers missing near Tan-Tan during African Lion 26 — a joint U.S.-Morocco search is underway. Two U.S. service members participating in African Lion 26 were reported missing near the Cap Draa Training Area, near the city of Tan-Tan, Morocco, on May 2, 2026, U.S. Africa Command announced Sunday. U.S., Moroccan and other assets from African Lion immediately initiated coordinated search and rescue operations, involving ground, air, and maritime assets. The incident remains under investigation and the search is ongoing.
AFRICOM’s statement was brief and focused: “Our focus is on the service members involved and their families. Additional information will be provided as it becomes available”.
U.S., Moroccan and other assets from African Lion immediately initiated coordinated search and rescue operations, including ground, air, and maritime assets.
— U.S. Africa Command Public Affairs · Stuttgart, May 3, 2026
What is African Lion 26
African Lion 26 is U.S. Africa Command’s largest annual joint military exercise. It launched on April 27 and runs through May 8, hosted across four countries: Morocco, Ghana, Senegal, and Tunisia. Activities in Morocco involve approximately 5,000 personnel from more than 40 countries and over 30 U.S.-based industry partners, executing operations across multiple locations within the country. The exercise is designed to strengthen collective security capabilities of the United States, African nations, and global allies.
Two U.S. service members participating in African Lion 2026 were reported missing near the Cap Draa Training Area, near the city of Tan Tan, Morocco, May 2, 2026.https://t.co/7zxpKQRHfB
— U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) (@USAfricaCommand) May 3, 2026
The two missing service members were operating near the Cap Draa Training Area — one of the exercise’s designated training locations in southern Morocco, near the city of Tan-Tan.