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Rabat – Military personnel from Morocco, the US, Tunisia, Senegal, and Ghana are holding intensive meetings in preparation for the 18th annual joint military exercises known as the African Lion.
The military exercises and drills are intended to counter military aggression from adverse forces in North Africa and strengthen military interoperability between the US and its international partners.
In 2021, the African Lion military drill featured 7,800 troops from Morocco, Tunisia, and Sengal. International military expeditions included troops from nine nations and NATO forces. Military drills took place in various military facilities across the country.
The multi-domain military drills are conducted involving air, ground, and maritime operations.
During the 17th African Lion military exercise, air drills that were coordinated by the US featured Moroccan and US air maneuvers using bombers, fighters, and aerial refueling.
Naval maneuvers involved sea-based maneuvers, aiming to develop US and Moroccan crisis response capabilities.
“We conduct African Lion to improve interoperability and to demonstrate the strong relationship we have with our partners. Our aim is to train the range of military operations, you will see a multi-domain, multinational exercise that involves air, ground and maritime assets with service members from multiple countries all participating together as one” commented Aida Borras, General and deputy commanding general for the US Army Southern European Task Force, Africa.
The African Lion is part of Morocco’s continuous efforts to combat terrorism in the region and cultivate partnerships with its strategic allies.
Morocco is an active member of the Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership, a multi-nation effort to counter violent extremism, and reduce tension that could possibly give rise to terrorist activities.
In addition to annually hosting the African Lion, the North African country also participates in other multi-national military drills such as the Phoenix Express, a military joint exercise involving 11 nations aiming to enhance maritime security and combat illicit trafficking.
The schedule of the African Lion 2022 military exercise is yet to be released.
