Morocco, US Strengthen Disaster Response Skills in Joint Training

Rabat – The US and the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces (FAR) have completed their annual disaster response exercise, Maroc Mantlet 2025. 

The training brought nearly 30 members of the Utah National Guard to Morocco to work alongside FAR, Morocco’s Civil Protection, the Ministry of Interior, the Directorate for National Security (DGSN), and the national committee on Nuclear, Radiological, Biological, and Chemical (NRBC) response.

Maroc Mantlet is the premier training event for disaster preparedness in Morocco. It focuses on how military and civilian teams can cooperate during crises such as natural disasters or chemical emergencies. 

The exercise included firefighting drills, search-and-rescue missions, emergency medical care, and the use of drones to support command and coordination. Maroc Mantlet 2025 focused on faster disaster response, early integration of Army units, humanitarian coordination, and advanced technology, reads a press release.

“We are honored to participate in Maroc Mantlet this year, and each year since 2013,” said Lt. Col. Adam Sherman of the Utah National Guard. He said the goal is to “continue to build relationships with our Moroccan partners, demonstrate and test new technologies and equipment, and work side-by-side with interagency partners in the areas of search and extraction, firefighting, medical, and responses to CBRN threats.”

Morocco is increasingly seen as a regional leader in humanitarian emergency response. The training also reflects US Africa Command’s goal of building resilient, self-sufficient partners. After the exercise, Morocco’s Relief and Rescue Unit will continue training to put the lessons into practice and share expertise with regional partners.

Morocco-US military partnership

The joint disaster response exercise is one part of the deep military cooperation between Morocco and the United States. The two countries hold regular drills, most notably African Lion, which is the largest annual military exercise in Africa and includes thousands of troops from both sides. 

These exercises strengthen Morocco’s defense capabilities and reinforce its role as a key US ally in North Africa. 

Beyond military drills, the US supports Morocco in areas such as counterterrorism, border security, and peacekeeping missions. The partnership reflects shared interests in stability, regional security, and humanitarian cooperation.

Morocco-US relations are strong, covering diplomacy, trade, and security. Morocco was the first country to recognize the US’s independence in 1777, and ties have grown closer in recent decades. 

A major milestone came in December 2020, when the US recognized Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara. This decision strengthened political and military ties and opened the door for even deeper cooperation.

In a message to King Mohammed VI on the 26th Throne Day, Donald Trump reiterated his country’s recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara.

“I want to reaffirm that the United States of America recognizes Moroccan sovereignty over the Western Sahara, and supports Morocco’s autonomy proposal, serious, credible and realistic, as the only basis for a just and lasting settlement of this dispute,” Trump said.