US-Morocco Military Exercise "African Lion 2021" Continues with Live Fire Drills

In the Grayer Bihi region, in the Mehbes sub-sector, two main exercises are on the program, said Colonel Hicham Amrani, head of the "African Lion 2021" exercise, stressing that it is an airborne troop activity and an air activity with live fire. In addition to these two activities, there will also be training of FAR elements led by American and Moroccan instructors in the same area. And Colonel Robert Perry, commander of operations on the American side, added that these training sessions also represent a means of collaboration with Morocco, in order to allow the engaged forces to improve their preparation.

The Army Corps General, Belkhir El Farouk, Commander of the Southern Zone, and Major General Andrew M. Rohling, Deputy Commanding General for Africa and Commander of the Army’s Operational Unit for Southern Europe and Africa, are leading this 17th combined Moroccan-American exercise "African Lion 2021" which will continue in the regions of Agadir, Tifnit, Tan-Tan, Mehbes, Tafraout, Ben Guérir and Kenitra until June 18, 2021. In addition to the [United States and Morocco, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Canada, Tunisia, Senegal, the Netherlands, Italy, the Atlantic Alliance, as well as military observers from about thirty countries representing Africa, Europe and America are also participating in this 17th exercise.

The organization of this major event is mainly aimed at strengthening the maneuvering capabilities of the participating units, strengthening interoperability between the participants in terms of planning and conducting joint operations within a coalition, improving tactics, techniques and procedures, developing skills in cyber-defense, consolidating cooperation in the field of maritime security... In the same context, a field medical-surgical hospital will be set up in the Amlen area (Tafraout) where medical and surgical care will be provided to the local population, by medical teams of doctors and nurses from the FAR and the US Army.