The United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) announced that two U.S. service members are missing in southwestern Morocco after taking part in annual multinational military exercises in the North African country.
According to AFRICOM, the missing personnel were part of a large-scale exercise called “Eager Lion,” which was conducted in collaboration with Moroccan and other international partners from February 20 to March 5. The event aimed to enhance interoperability among participating nations and improve their ability to work together in response to security challenges.
The two missing service members are believed to have gone missing on the last day of the exercise, when they were participating in a field training exercise near the city of Agadir. Authorities from Morocco’s military and U.S. special operations forces are currently conducting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding their disappearance.
“We take the safety and well-being of our service members very seriously,” said a spokesperson for AFRICOM. “We are working closely with Moroccan authorities to locate the missing personnel as quickly and safely as possible.”
The search operation, which involves both U.S. and Moroccan forces, is ongoing, and officials say that no evidence has been found to suggest any foul play.
“We urge anyone with information about the whereabouts of these service members to come forward,” said the AFRICOM spokesperson. “We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.”
The disappearance of the two U.S. service members is a significant development in an otherwise successful exercise that saw thousands of troops from over 30 countries participating.
This incident highlights the risks and uncertainties associated with military operations, even in what appear to be secure environments.
“It’s a sobering reminder of the sacrifices made by our service members and their families,” said Rear Admiral Christopher W. Rudnitsky Jr., commander of AFRICOM. “We will do everything possible to ensure that these personnel are located safely and returned home as soon as possible.”
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