The search for two missing U.S. Army soldiers in southern Morocco intensified Monday, with Moroccan military sources saying early indications suggest the pair may have fallen into the Atlantic Ocean near the Cap Draa training area outside Tan-Tan.
A source familiar with the operation within the Moroccan armed forces said the incident does not appear to be linked to terrorism and remains strictly a search-and-rescue mission focused on locating the missing service members as quickly as possible.
According to the source, the soldiers were last seen near a rocky coastal cliff adjacent to the Cap Draa training zone. Preliminary information suggests they may have fallen into the ocean, prompting a large-scale deployment of air, sea and ground search assets.
The operation is being carried out jointly by Moroccan and U.S. forces, with support from other participating partners in the ongoing multinational effort.
Morocco has deployed several aircraft from the Royal Armed Forces, including King Air surveillance planes, SA-330 Puma helicopters and AS332 Super Puma helicopters. A U.S. CH-47 Chinook helicopter is also participating in the search.
Moroccan and American drones have additionally been mobilized to expand aerial reconnaissance and scanning operations over the coastal area.
At sea, Royal Moroccan Navy units, including a frigate, are combing the shoreline and nearby waters. Specialized Moroccan diver and climbing teams have also been sent to reach difficult and potentially hazardous terrain along the cliffs.
Ground units from both the Royal Armed Forces and the U.S. Army have been deployed to widen the search perimeter on land as authorities race to determine the fate of the missing soldiers.
The disappearance occurred after the troops had taken part in activities related to African Lion 2026, the annual multinational military exercise hosted by Morocco.
A U.S. defense official said earlier that the soldiers were not involved in training when they went missing and had been on a recreational hike after the day’s exercises had ended.
Military officials said the scale of the response reflects the level of operational coordination between Rabat and Washington, stressing that the immediate priority remains saving lives and clarifying the circumstances of the incident.
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