Two American soldiers reported missing during a military exercise in southern Morocco were last seen near seaside cliffs and may have fallen into the ocean, according to details provided by a US Department of Defense official to AFP.
The disappearance occurred Saturday evening in the Cap Draa training area, where military maneuvers are taking place. In response, a major search operation was immediately launched, mobilizing land, air, and sea assets from American, Moroccan, and allied forces. As of Sunday evening, shortly before 8:00 PM GMT, the search was still underway. The American official was keen to rule out any criminal or terrorist involvement: "I can confirm that this incident is not related to terrorism. It is most likely an accident," he stated. Initial reports suggest that the two servicemen may have fallen into the ocean from a steep area.
According to reports in the Wall Street Journal, the missing soldiers may have gone hiking after their training day. However, this hypothesis could not be independently verified by AFP.
For its part, CBS News reports that a reporter on the scene heard helicopters flying over the area "all night" and again during the day on Sunday, after a general appeal launched on the base failed to locate the two men.
The Royal Moroccan Armed Forces confirmed their active participation in the search via an official Facebook post. Significant resources have been deployed, including helicopters, ships, drones, mountaineering teams, and specialized divers.
This incident occurred during African Lion, a large-scale annual military exercise led by the United States. It brings together several African countries, Western allies, and NATO members, with the aim of strengthening military cooperation, improving the interoperability of forces, and preparing joint responses to crises in the North and West Africa region.
