Two U.S. service members participating in a joint exercise African Lion 2026 were reported missing near the Cap Draa Training Area, near the city of Tan Tan in Morocco on Saturday, the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) said on Sunday.

U.S., Moroccan and other partner forces have launched coordinated search and rescue operations, including ground, air, and maritime assets, AFRICOM said.

The incident remains under investigation and the search is ongoing, the statement added.

African Lion is U.S. Africa Command's largest annual joint exercise, aimed at improving interoperability among U.S. forces, NATO Allies, and African partner nations.

(Reporting by Ruchika Khanna in Bengaluru; Editing by Tomasz Janowski)