All articles tagged with #africom
U.S. Africa Command, in coordination with the Government of Nigeria, conducted additional kinetic strikes against ISIS militants in Northeastern Nigeria on May 17, 2026. Intelligence confirmed targets, no U.S. or Nigerian forces were harmed, and assessments are ongoing to evaluate the impact on ISIS capabilities.
Two U.S. Army soldiers went missing off Morocco's southern coast after one fell into the Atlantic during a sunset hike near Cap Draa; a nearby rescuer and a third jumper also entered the water in an attempt to save them, but could not reach shore. Search-and-rescue teams, including aircraft, drones, divers and vessels, have been scouring the area for days. Officials say the incident does not appear related to the AFRICOM-led Africa Lion exercise, which involves thousands from the U.S., African partners and NATO allies.
Two U.S. Army soldiers are missing near the Cap Draa Training Area in southwestern Morocco during the Africa Lion multinational exercise. A joint search-and-rescue operation using ground, air and maritime assets is underway after they were last seen near ocean cliffs; officials say the incident is not terror-related. Africa Lion, the U.S. military’s largest annual exercise in Africa, involves thousands from more than 30 nations across four host countries and runs through early May.
The U.S. Africa Command says two service members taking part in the African Lion exercise in southwestern Morocco near the Cap Draa Training Area are missing; search-and-rescue operations involving U.S., Moroccan and partner forces are underway, and the incident is under investigation. African Lion is a major annual joint drill hosted by Morocco and partners to boost interoperability and readiness.
Two U.S. service members are missing off Morocco’s southern coast during the African Lion training exercise. A large search-and-rescue operation is underway, and the drill has been paused as U.S. and Moroccan forces search the area; officials say the incident was an accident unrelated to the exercise, and no names have been released.
Two U.S. service members participating in African Lion 2026 are missing near the Cap Draa Training Area in Tan Tan, Morocco, triggering an immediate multinational search and rescue effort with ground, air, and maritime assets; the incident is under investigation and additional updates will be provided as available.
The Intercept argues that under a Trump-era shift toward the Western Hemisphere, the Pentagon plans to consolidate and shrink U.S. combatant commands (merging Africa with Europe/Central into a single International Command and Northern/Southern into AMERICOM), aiming to reduce long-term American presence in Africa. Experts warn this reorganization could repeat Africa-focused counterterrorism failures that have coincided with rising militant violence and humanitarian costs, suggesting that simply reshuffling commands may not address root causes or yield lasting security benefits.
The article criticizes Donald Trump's approach to Africa, highlighting the closure of USAID, the lack of senior Africa-related posts in the US government, a shift in military strategy with AFRICOM, the expiration of the African Growth and Opportunity Act, and the inclusion of ten African countries in his travel ban, suggesting a neglectful or dismissive attitude towards the continent.