Spain Skips ’African Lion 22’ Military Exercises Amid Ongoing Morocco Tensions

Military and diplomatic sources told EFE that the Spanish armed forces will not participate in the "African Lion 22". They had not participated in the 2021 edition of these exercises, organized in the midst of the diplomatic crisis between Spain and Morocco.

Read: US-Morocco Military Exercise ’African Lion 2022’ Enters Final Planning Stage

Spain had missed last year’s edition which was to take place among other things in the Sahara, an option that was ultimately excluded by the United States. The choice of the Sahara had been retained a few months after the announcement, in December 2020, of the American recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara.

Read: Morocco Hosts Planning Meeting for African Lion 2022 Military Exercises

More than 7,000 American and allied country soldiers will participate in this year’s edition, which will take place in various regions of southern Morocco (Agadir, Tan-Tan, Mehbes, Taroudant and Ben Guerir) and central (Kenitra), announced the United States Military Command in Africa (AFRICOM).

The "African Lion", the fruit of military cooperation between the United States and Morocco, includes land, air, naval and humanitarian assistance military exercises.