Two U.S. Service Members Missing Near Cliffs in Morocco During African Lion Exercise

U.S. Army soldiers went missing Saturday evening near ocean cliffs in southwestern Morocco while on a recreational hike after the day's training ended in the African Lion military exercise. The United States Africa Command announced the disappearance Sunday, stating the soldiers were last seen in the vicinity of the Cap Draa Training Area outside Tan Tan, close to the Atlantic Ocean.

M. on May 2, 2026, in terrain marked by mountains, desert plains, and semi-desert expanses. U.S.

Defense official told the Associated Press. Initial reports indicated the soldiers may have fallen into the ocean near sea cliffs, according to the official. The Moroccan army confirmed the pair went missing near a cliff.

"The incident remains under investigation and the search for the missing service members is ongoing," the United States Africa Command said in a statement. African Lion 2026 began in April across Morocco, Tunisia, Ghana, and Senegal, with the exercise set to conclude in early May. U.S.

Branches such as the National Guard, Army Reserve, Air Force, and Marine Corps. U.S. joint military exercise on the African continent since its inception in 2004.

U.S. and key African allies to build regional security cooperation and enhance force readiness for global crises. U.S.

Ally in a region facing instability, including military coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger since 2020 that have led those nations to distance themselves from Western powers. U.S. Marines and injured two others.

In separate developments Sunday, two young women believed to be of Sudanese origin died while attempting to reach Britain from northern France in a small boat, officials said. U.K. declared a major incident after a man and a woman died in a suspicious explosion at a house in Bristol, which authorities linked to a domestic-related event.