Morocco's Military Cooperation with AFRICOM Deepens at African Lion 2026
Economy
The Inspector General of the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces (FAR) met with the Commander of the US Africa Command (AFRICOM) to discuss bilateral military cooperation, including joint operational training exercises, such as the annual African Lion exercise, which has been held since 2004.
The meeting took place at the Southern Zone Command Headquarters, with the Inspector General of the FAR, General Mohammed Berrid, and the Commander of AFRICOM, General Dagvin Anderson, in attendance.
The two officials discussed various aspects of the bilateral military cooperation, including operational training exercises, which demonstrate the dynamic nature of this multifaceted military cooperation, according to a statement from the FAR General Staff.
On this occasion, General Berrid and General Mohsine Bensdira, Chief of the 3rd Bureau of the Southern Zone Command, were awarded the Legion of Merit medal by General Anderson, representing the US Secretary of War.
The ceremony was held in an official capacity.
Meanwhile, Morocco has reinforced its forest fire intervention capabilities ahead of the summer season, and the FAR has mobilized to search for two missing US military personnel.
The African Lion 2026 exercise also includes a mass casualty exercise at the Agadir stadium and the deployment of a field hospital in Taroudant.
A delegation led by the Inspector General of the FAR is currently on a working visit to Mauritania.