U.S. Media: Missing U.S. Soldier in Morocco May Have Fallen into the Sea

Xinhua News Agency, Washington, May 3 (Reporter Huang Qiang, Xu Jianmei) According to reports from U.S. media on the 3rd, preliminary reports indicate that two U.S. soldiers who went missing on the 2nd while participating in an annual military exercise in southern Morocco may have fallen into the sea, with no signs of foul play found. Search operations are still ongoing.

According to CBS News, a Defense Department official stated that the two soldiers were last seen near a cliff by the sea close to the training area at Cape Draa, near the Moroccan city of Tan-Tan. The names of the soldiers and other details have not been released.

The official also mentioned that ground forces, air, and naval assets from the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces, U.S. military, and other participants in the "African Lion 2026" exercise are involved in the search efforts.

According to on-site officials who spoke to CBS, the "African Lion 2026" exercise was forced to suspend on the 3rd due to the ongoing search and rescue operations by the U.S. and Morocco.

Additionally, a U.S. defense official, who wished to remain anonymous, confirmed to the Associated Press that the missing soldiers are all U.S. Army personnel who went out for leisure hiking after the exercise concluded that day.

U.S. Africa Command stated on the 3rd that two U.S. service members participating in the "African Lion 2026" exercise went missing near the Cape Draa training area in Morocco on the 2nd.