Two U.S. Army soldiers were reported missing May 2 after failing to return from a recreational hike near ocean cliffs by the Cap Draa Training Area, near Tan Tan, Morocco. AFRICOM said the pair were last seen near coastal cliffs and that U.S., Moroccan and partner-nation forces launched an immediate joint search-and-rescue operation. Initial reporting suggests they may have fallen into the ocean; the incident is under investigation and efforts to locate them continue.
Two U.S. Soldiers Missing After Recreational Hike Near Ocean Cliffs During African Lion 2026 — Joint Search Underway
Tanks roll in formation during in the annual "African Lion" joint military exercise between US and Moroccan forces in the Tan-Tan region in southwestern Morocco on May 31, 2024.Credit: FADEL SENNA/AFP via Getty
Two U.S. Army soldiers were reported missing on May 2 after failing to return from a recreational hike near ocean cliffs by the Cap Draa Training Area, close to Tan Tan on Morocco's Atlantic coast. United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) said the pair were participating in African Lion 2026 but were not engaged in scheduled training when they disappeared.
AFRICOM confirmed the soldiers were last seen near coastal cliffs and that U.S., Moroccan and partner-nation forces immediately launched a joint search-and-rescue operation. Initial reporting by the BBC and an anonymous U.S. defense official speaking to the Associated Press indicated the soldiers may have fallen into the ocean.
"They were not actively taking part in any training," an anonymous U.S. defense official told the AP. "The day's exercises had concluded, and, from our understanding, they were out on a recreational hike."
"The soldiers were last seen near ocean cliffs... When they did not return as expected, U.S. and Moroccan personnel immediately initiated a joint search effort."
AFRICOM said the incident remains under investigation and that its immediate focus is on locating the service members and supporting their families. Moroccan authorities are cooperating with U.S. forces and other participating countries in the search; no further identifying details about the soldiers have been released.
A US army AH-64 Apache attack helicopter flies over members of the Moroccan Royal Armed Forces during the second annual "African Lion" military exercise in the Tan-Tan region in southwestern Morocco on June 30, 2022.Credit: FADEL SENNA/AFP via Getty
About African Lion 2026
African Lion 2026 is the largest U.S. annual joint military exercise on the African continent. The exercise began in Tunisia in April and is scheduled to conclude in early May, involving more than 7,000 personnel from over 30 countries with activities across Morocco, Tunisia, Ghana and Senegal. Participants include active-duty members of the National Guard, Army Reserve, Air Force and Marine Corps.
First held in 2004, African Lion is intended to strengthen regional security partnerships and improve the readiness of participating forces for global crises. The exercise has seen serious accidents in the past: in 2012, two U.S. Marines were killed and two others injured after a helicopter crash near Agadir, Morocco.
The search and investigation are ongoing. AFRICOM and Moroccan authorities have not released updates on the outcome of the search or additional operational details.
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