US-Morocco Military Exercise Excludes Spain Amid Diplomatic Tensions

African Lion 21 is taking shape. Military maneuvers will take place in the Sahara, more precisely near the cities of Dakhla and Tan-Tan, as part of this annual military exercise scheduled between June 7 and June 18, reports the newspaper RT. Focused on the fight against terrorism, African Lion 21 will see the participation of 21 countries except Spain in full diplomatic crisis with Morocco. Among these countries are Portugal, Denmark, Malta, Norway, Poland, Egypt, Libya, Kenya or Côte d’Ivoire. All are observers.

In addition to Morocco, Tunisia and Senegal will host some military exercises. The US military will bring together the armies of Europe and Africa into a single four-star command. In total, 7,800 military personnel, more than a hundred armored vehicles, 46 support aircraft and 21 fighter jets from seven countries (Italy, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Canada, Brazil, Tunisia, Senegal) will participate in the joint maneuvers.