The “African Lion” multinational military exercise, a joint undertaking by Morocco and the United States, officially began today, Monday, May 12th. The drills, scheduled to run until May 23rd, highlight the robust strategic alliance between the two nations.
Morocco’s Royal Armed Forces (FAR) and the United States Armed Forces launched the 21st edition of the exercise in Agadir, with operations planned across several key regions within the Kingdom.
The opening ceremony, held at the FAR’s Southern Zone headquarters, was attended by military delegations from various partner countries and co-chaired by Major General Mohammed Benlouali, Chief of Staff of the FAR’s Southern Zone, and Brigadier General Brian Cederman, Deputy Commander of the U.S. Army’s Southern European Task Force – Africa (SETAF-AF).
During the ceremony, organizers outlined the operational scenario for this year’s exercise, which includes command post simulations, tactical training, and extensive field operations.
General Benlouali underscored the strategic significance of “African Lion,” emphasizing the “strength of the partnership between Morocco, the United States, and allied nations, built on trust and multilateral military cooperation.” General Cederman described the exercise as “a flagship event for strengthening alliances in pursuit of peace, stability, and regional and global security.”
Exercises will take place in Agadir, Tan-Tan, Tiznit, Kenitra, Benguerir, and Tifnit, encompassing specialized training, joint inter-army drills, field maneuvers, and nuclear, radiological, biological, and chemical (NRBC) decontamination exercises. Medical and humanitarian outreach and social solidarity campaigns are also planned.
Held annually through close collaboration between Rabat and Washington, “African Lion” has evolved into one of the largest military exercises on the African continent. Its objectives include enhancing interoperability among participating forces, strengthening rapid response capabilities to security threats, and reinforcing collective defense efforts to support regional stability in North Africa and beyond.
MK/ac/lb/abj/APA