Two U.S. Service Members Missing in Morocco Following Military Exercises
-
Two U.S. service members are missing in southwestern Morocco after taking part in annual multinational military exercises in the North African country, the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) said Sunday.
Compare 12 other versions
ABC NewsRABAT, Morocco -- Two U.S. service members are missing in southwestern Morocco after taking part in annual multinational military exercises in the North African country, the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) said Sunday.
Washington TimesThe two troops were reported missing near the Cap Draa Training Area, which is near the city of Tan Tan in Morocco, according to U.S. Africa Command. The troops were part of the “African Lion” annual joint exercise, which includes drills in Morocco, Ghana, Senegal and elsewhere on the continent.
New York PostPublished May 3, 2026, 8:30 a.m. ET LAGOS, Nigeria — Two US service members are missing in southwestern Morocco after taking part in annual multinational military exercises in the North African country, the United States African Command (AFRICOM) said Sunday.
The HillU.S. Africa Command (Africom) on Sunday said two U.S. service members participating in a military exercise missing in Morocco. “The incident remains under investigation and the search is on-going,” Africom wrote in a statement. “Our focus is on the service members involved and their families.” The two service members were reported missing Saturday near the…
The Guardian USTwo US service members are missing in south-western Morocco after taking part in annual multinational military exercises in the North African country, the United States Africa Command (Africom) said Sunday.
NPR NewsCASABLANCA, Morocco — Two U.S. service members are missing in southwestern Morocco after taking part in annual multinational military exercises in the North African country, the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) said Sunday.
The Daily Wire“Two U.S. service members participating in African Lion 2026 were reported missing near the Cap Draa Training Area, near the city of Tan Tan, Morocco, May 2, 2026,” the command posted via X.
New York TimesThe two Army soldiers were reported missing during a joint military exercise on Saturday near Cap Draa Training Area, a coastal area in southwestern Morocco.
ReutersTwo US troops missing during African Lion exercise in Morocco, AFRICOM says Reuters
BBC NewsThe missing Americans were participating in African Lion 2026, an annual joint exercise designed to strengthen operations between US forces, Nato allies, and African nations.
BreitbartA search and rescue operation was launched when two U.S. service members went missing in Morocco on Saturday during military exercises.
Washington PostA U.S. defense official said the pair, in the North African nation for a training exercise, were last seen near sea cliffs and were not conducting training at the time.
-
The service members are U.S. Army soldiers who went missing while on a hike, a U.S. defense official told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity as they were not allowed to speak publicly about the issue.
Compare 1 other version
ABC NewsThe command did not state what unit or branch of the military the missing service members belong to. The Associated Press has requested clarification.
-
In 2012, two U.S. Marines were killed and two others injured during a helicopter crash in Morocco's southern city of Agadir while taking part in African Lion.
Compare 1 other version
ABC NewsIn 2012, two U.S. Marines were killed and two others injured during a helicopter crash in Morocco’s southern city of Agadir while taking part in African Lion.
-
Morocco is a major ally of the United States in a troubled region. Since 2020, military officers disillusioned with their governments’ records of stemming violence have overthrown democratically elected governments in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger and began distancing themselves from Western powers.
Compare 1 other version
NPR NewsMorocco is a major ally of the United States in a troubled region. Since 2020, military officers disillusioned with their governments' records of stemming violence have overthrown democratically elected governments in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger and began distancing themselves from Western powers.
3 details only one outlet reported
Independent claims that didn't surface elsewhere in our corpus. Treat as supplementary — not corroborated across outlets.
-
01 NPR News "They were not actively taking part in any training. The day's exercises had concluded, and, from our understanding, they were out on a recreational hike," the official said.
-
02 Breitbart Officials stopped the training exercise on Sunday amid the search and rescue operations, according to CBS News. The outlet said reporters embedded with the U.S. military were in their tents when officials performed a headcount.
-
03 Washington Times The U.S. has about 6,500 troops in Africa, according to late 2025 data from AFRICOM. They are spread across the continent, with the majority — about 3,500 — based at Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti. AFRICOM officials would not disclose the location of the rest of the troops due to security concerns.
Fact Corroboration
Which sources independently confirm the same facts. Hover a claim to see its sources, or a source to see what it corroborates.
Coverage by Perspective
Source Similarity
Connections show how similarly each outlet covered this story. Thicker lines = more similar framing.
Sources (13)
- bbc
- reuters
- abc
- guardian
- washtimes
- nyt
- breitbart
- dailywire
- nypost
- pbs
- thehill
- npr
- wapo