Morocco and Algeria Join the Same U.S.-Led Military Exercise
Morocco is taking part in Phoenix Express 2026, a twelve-day maritime exercise led by the U.S. 6th Fleet in the Mediterranean. Algeria is also among the countries involved in these maneuvers, which began this Monday, September 7, in Tunisia.
The exercise began at the naval base in La Goulette, near Tunis. Organized under the auspices of the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), it is led by the U.S. 6th Fleet and hosted by the Tunisian navy, U.S. Sixth Fleet reports.
Thirteen countries are participating in this 21st edition: Morocco, Algeria, Belgium, Egypt, France, Georgia, Italy, Libya, Mauritania, Tunisia, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States. Images published Monday by the U.S. military notably show Moroccan and Tunisian military personnel discussing civil-military cooperation procedures in La Goulette.
On Bladi.net : article 121960
Phoenix Express is not limited to ship maneuvers. The program includes phases on land and at sea, with the use of regional maritime operations centers tasked with sharing real-time data and building a common operational picture.
Joint search-and-rescue exercises, simulations of vessel boardings and demonstrations under real-world conditions are also planned. Washington’s stated objective is to improve the ability of the various forces to act together to secure trade routes and respond to regional maritime threats.
Advanced technologies to monitor African waters
The U.S. 6th Fleet also announces the increased integration of “advanced systems” and tracking tools. These systems are intended to demonstrate how to detect and deter illegal activities in the exclusive economic zones of African countries.
Vice Admiral J.T. Anderson, commander of the 6th Fleet and NATO’s Naval Striking and Support Forces, emphasizes the combination of cutting-edge maritime technologies and the forces of participating countries. According to him, Phoenix Express should strengthen their ability to detect and prevent activities likely to threaten freedom of navigation and maritime trade.
This participation comes as military cooperation between Rabat and Washington intensified further in 2026. Morocco and the United States are notably preparing a large military training and testing center in Tan-Tan, while the Royal Navy had already taken part in June in a major multinational exercise off the coast of the United States.
On Bladi.net : Americans test their new missile in Morocco—and this is only the beginning
The simultaneous presence of Morocco and Algeria is ultimately one of the distinctive features of Phoenix Express 2026. The two countries are integrated into the same U.S.-led multinational coalition, although the American statement does not mention bilateral maneuvers between their forces. The exercise is scheduled to continue for twelve days in the southern Mediterranean.
