Israeli army takes part for 1st time in African Lion Drills in Morocco

An Israeli elite unit is taking part for the first time in the African Lion military games on Moroccan soil, Israeli defense forces spokesman Avichai Adraee said.

Israel will send a delegation of 12 soldiers and a commander of the Israel Defense Forces to the African Lion, which brings together 8000 soldiers from 18 countries.

The annual military exercise, the largest of its kind in Africa, is intended to train soldiers on various battlefield scenarios, including infantry warfare and underground warfare – in which the Israeli unit specializes – and will conclude with a common exercise for all armies.

This year’s exercise features multiple combined arms live fire exercises; maritime and air exercises; field training exercise; two chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear response exercises; and three humanitarian civic assistance program events.

Morocco and Israel have signed a defense cooperation pact following the resumption of diplomatic ties in 2020. Since then senior defense officials from the two countries exchanged visits and signed cooperation, training and supply deals.