Rabat – The Royal Moroccan Armed Forces and the United States military wrapped up the 21st edition of the joint exercise “African Lion 2025” on Friday, with final operations held near the mouth of the Draa River, north of Tan-Tan.
The exercise brought together over 10,000 soldiers from Morocco, the US, and other allied countries, including NATO forces.
During the closing maneuvers, troops simulated a full-scale response to a fictional enemy. Moroccan and American air and ground forces worked together to strike targets and carry out coordinated attacks.
Moroccan F-16 jets supported ground operations, while American HIMARS artillery systems bombed enemy positions. Special forces destroyed a radar site used to detect drones, and Royal Moroccan artillery units provided front-line support using M109 A5 systems.
Armored vehicles such as Abrams tanks, along with infantry transported in heavy and light armored vehicles, cleared the remaining enemy forces. Engineers then dismantled landmines to allow movement of troops during simulated attacks and counterattacks.
One highlight was a joint logistics operation that demonstrated how to evacuate injured soldiers from the battlefield using Puma helicopters and ground vehicles. Damaged military vehicles were also towed for repair and redeployment.
Senior military officials from both countries attended the exercise. General Mohamed Berrid, Inspector General of the Royal Armed Forces, and U.S. General Michael Langley, Commander of AFRICOM, commended the coordination between the two armies.
Langley said that the training shows how both countries can respond together to growing security threats, especially in the Sahel region.
Held from May 12 across various Moroccan regions, including Agadir, Tan-Tan, Tiznit, Kenitra, Benguerir, and Tifnit, the African Lion 2025 included training in multiple areas, like planning operations, nuclear and chemical threat response, and combined air-ground maneuvers.
