Latest news with #AfricanLion25
American Military News
27-05-2025
- Politics
- American Military News
US military urges African allies to increase ‘burden sharing'
Under President Donald Trump's administration, the U.S. military is urging its allies in Africa to increase 'independent operations' and 'burden sharing.' According to The Associated Press, the U.S. military's call for its African allies to be less reliant on the United States and become more independent represents a shift from the U.S. military's traditional emphasis on addressing the underlying causes of insurgencies in African nations. The Associated Press reported that the Trump administration's shift in policy toward America's allies in Africa was emphasized in its recent African Lion joint training exercise, which is the U.S. military's largest joint training exercise in the region. In an interview with The Associated Press, U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley, commander of U.S. Africa Command, said, 'We need to be able to get our partners to the level of independent operations.' During the final day of the African Lion joint training exercise last Friday, Langley said, 'There needs to be some burden sharing.' READ MORE: Global military spending increases at highest rate since Cold War: Report The Associated Press reported that while the U.S. government has traditionally been outspoken regarding the links between defense, development, and diplomacy with regard to security in Africa, Langley noted that one of the Department of Defense's priorities under Trump's leadership is to help U.S. allies develop the capability of managing their own security. 'We have our set priorities now — protecting the homeland,' Langley told The Associated Press. In reference to the country's support for Sudan, Langley added, 'And we're also looking for other countries to contribute to some of these global instability areas.' In a statement on U.S. Army Europe and Africa's website, U.S. military officials announced that African Lion 25 was U.S. Africa Command's 'largest, premier, annual exercise, hosted across Morocco, Ghana, Senegal and Tunisia.' 'This joint, all-domain, multi-component, and multinational exercise includes more than 10,000 participants from more than twenty nations, including contingents from NATO,' U.S. Army Europe and Africa added. 'African Lion aims to strengthen interoperability among participants and build readiness to respond to crises and contingencies in Africa and around the world.'
Roya News
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Roya News
Outrage grows over 'Israeli' troops in Morocco's military drills
'Israeli' forces are participating in this year's African Lion 25, the largest US-led joint military exercise on the African continent, currently underway in Morocco and neighboring countries. The drill, which began on April 14 and runs through May 23, involves over 10,000 troops from more than 50 countries including 'Israel". While African Lion includes exercises in Ghana, Senegal, and Tunisia, 'Israeli' troops are only taking part in operations held inside Morocco — a move that has sparked political backlash due to the ongoing 'Israeli' offensive in Gaza. Local protests and statements from civil society groups in Morocco have condemned the presence of 'Israeli' forces, particularly reports that soldiers from the Golani Brigade's special operations unit — accused of killing 15 Palestinian medical workers in Gaza in March — are among those deployed. The Moroccan Front for Supporting Palestine and Against Normalization, a coalition of left-wing parties, unions, and civil society groups, called the participation of 'Israeli' troops a 'provocation' and demanded their immediate removal from the drills. UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese also raised concerns over unconfirmed reports and imagery suggesting the presence of Golani soldiers in Morocco, warning it could constitute a breach of international law if those accused of war crimes were not investigated. The 'Israeli' military has not disclosed which units are participating, but photos circulating on social media show troops wearing Golani Brigade insignias during joint training near the city of Agadir. The image appeared to be taken during a special operations phase of the exercise, although the date has not been verified. African Lion 25, led by US Africa Command and hosted primarily by Morocco, is designed to bolster interoperability and readiness across allied forces. Activities in Morocco include field training exercises, live-fire drills, and humanitarian cooperation. According to US officials, the exercise also demonstrates the US's ability to project power and respond rapidly alongside its partners on the continent. Despite official silence on 'Israel's' participation, a traffic accident involving two 'Israeli' paratroopers during the exercise last week briefly brought their presence into local news. Both soldiers were treated in hospital for moderate injuries. 'Israel' has taken part in African Lion exercises since 2022 following the resumption of military ties with Morocco under the US-brokered normalization agreement in late 2020. This year marks 'Israel's' third consecutive participation.
Morocco World
14-05-2025
- General
- Morocco World
African Lion 25: US Officials Exalt Morocco's Cornerstone Partnership
Doha – US military leaders lauded the strategic partnership with Morocco as African Lion 25 operations commenced across the country on May 12. The multinational exercise, Africa's largest annual military training event, brings together over 10,000 troops from more than 40 countries. 'Exercise African Lion 25 exemplifies the robust and enduring defense partnership between the United States and Morocco,' said US Air Force Col. Seward Matwick, defense attaché at the US Embassy in Rabat. He emphasized their 'shared commitment to regional stability and security.' The Morocco portion officially began Monday at the Southern Zone headquarters in Agadir. Major General Mohammed Benlouali co-chaired the opening ceremony alongside Brigadier General Brian Cedeman, Deputy Commander of SETAF-AFRICA. Morocco hosts the largest concentration of activities for this year's exercise. Training events span multiple regions including Agadir, Tan-Tan, Tiznit, Kenitra, Benguerir, and Tifnit. Brigadier General Cedeman characterized the exercise as 'a truly remarkable event' demonstrating 'the growing strength of our partnerships.' He affirmed that 'Morocco's commitment to African Lion testifies to the strength of our alliance.' Other specialists commended the exceptional coordination with Moroccan forces. 'Our logistics teams and Moroccan counterparts have developed a seamless working rhythm over the years,' noted US Army Maj. Jonathan F. Alvis, SETAF-AF logistics planner for AL25. 'Exercises like African Lion show that we don't just plan together, we solve problems together, under pressure and in real time,' Alvis added. Read also: US AFRICOM: Delivery of 1st Batch of AH-64 Helicopters Reflects Strong Ties with Morocco The exercise features comprehensive training across land, air, maritime, space, and cyber domains. Activities include field training exercises (FTX), planning exercises (PLANEX), CBRN decontamination training, live-fire drills, joint military maneuvers, along with humanitarian and academic exchanges. US Air Force KC-135s from the 121st ARW will conduct air-to-air refueling operations with RMAF F-16 Fighting Falcons at Ben Guerir Air Base. Additionally, the RMAF will lead training on patient movement procedures and medical evacuation at Kenitra Air Base. US Airmen join Royal Moroccan Air Force personnel for specialized air operations. Training focuses on air-to-air refueling, close air support, and aeromedical evacuation tactics through challenging scenarios. 'The rigorous training scenarios we face in African Lion 25 push us to our limits,' remarked Lt. Gen. Jason Hinds, USAFE-AFAFRICA deputy commander. He stressed that the exercise builds readiness to 'respond effectively to any challenge alongside Allies and partners.' Eldridge Browne, Chief of Exercises for the US Army Southern European Task Force, Africa, celebrated Morocco's two-decade commitment. 'Morocco is a strategic partner that for the last 21 years has been the primary host for Exercise African Lion,' he stated. Browne applauded Morocco's 'steadfast support, multinational inclusion, and unwavering support' making the exercise 'successful year after year.' He described the country as 'a vital and trusted partner in our shared pursuit of stability and security in the region.' The Utah National Guard, Morocco's official state partner since 2003, participates directly in humanitarian civic assistance activities during this year's exercise. Participating countries include Cameroon, Cape Verde, Djibouti, France, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Hungary, Israel, Kenya, Nigeria, Portugal, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Observer countries include Belgium, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, India, Qatar, and the Republic of Congo. The Moroccan leg of the exercise runs through May 23. The comprehensive training aims to strengthen military cooperation, enhance interoperability, and boost intervention capabilities in multinational settings. Earlier phases of African Lion 25 were held in Ghana, Senegal, and Tunisia since April 14. Tags: African Lion 2025African Lion Military ExerciseMorocco US Relations
