The two US soldiers who went missing on May 3 likely fell into the ocean as they have last been seen near a cliff in the vicinity of their training site in Cap Draa, as part of their participation in the annual African Lion war games, US and Moroccan officials told the media.
US and Moroccan armies immediately initiated coordinated search and rescue operations, including ground, air, and maritime assets, the two armies said.
Authorities have ruled out criminal activity and say the incident is not linked to terrorism, Le360 said, as investigators now focus on the possibility of an accidental fall from a coastal cliff.
US and Moroccan forces are conducting a large-scale, coordinated search using land, air and maritime assets, according to sources.
Equipment deployed includes a Moroccan Royal Armed Forces (FAR) King Air aircraft, SA-330 Puma and AS332 Super Puma helicopters, a U.S. CH-47 Chinook helicopter, and Moroccan and U.S. drones.
Morocco’s Royal Navy has also committed a frigate to the operation.
African Lion exercises in Morocco, Africa’s largest, include approximately 5,000 personnel from over 40 countries and more than 30 U.S.-based industry partners validating future warfare capabilities across multiple locations within the country from 27 April to May 8, 2026.
