Latest news with #MohammedBenlouali
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
Maroc
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Maroc
21st 'African Lion' Exercise Kicks off in Agadir
In accordance with the High Instructions of HM the King, Supreme Commander and Chief of General Staff of the Royal Armed Forces (FAR), the FAR and the U.S. Armed Forces are jointly hosting the 21st edition of the 'African Lion' Exercise, which runs until May 23. An opening ceremony was held, on Monday 12 May , at the South Zone Headquarters in Agadir, marking the official launch of this multinational joint exercise, attended by representatives from the participating countries. Co-chaired by Major General Mohammed Benlouali, Chief of Staff of the South Zone, and Brigadier General Daniel Cederman, Deputy Commander of SETAF-AFRICA, the ceremony included a presentation of the command post simulation scenario and the related activities planned as part of this 21st edition. Speaking on this occasion, Major General Mohammed Benlouali underlined that the 21st edition of Exercise "African Lion" reflects the strength of the partnership and the spirit of cooperation uniting the FAR, the United States Armed Forces, and the brotherly and friendly countries taking part in this Exercise. This reinforced partnership, he added, has contributed to the development of skills across the various activities scheduled throughout the previous editions of the Exercise. For his part, Brigadier General Daniel Cederman emphasized that African Lion is "a truly remarkable event which attests to the significant value of this training and to the growing strength of our partnerships." "The Kingdom of Morocco's commitment to African Lion demonstrates the strength of our alliance," he stressed, noting that "each of us is committed to promoting peace, prosperity, and security in the region and across the world." The activities planned within the framework of this Exercise include training in several operational areas, planning exercises for the benefit of participating personnel, and Nuclear, Radiological, Biological, and Chemical decontamination operations, in addition to joint maneuvers. The 21st edition of Exercise "African Lion" will also include parallel humanitarian and social actions. Scheduled to take place in the regions of Agadir, Tan-Tan, Tiznit, Kenitra, Benguerir, and Tifnit, the Exercise aims to strengthen military cooperation between the Kingdom of Morocco and the United States of America, develop interoperability, and enhance response capabilities in a multinational context, thereby contributing to the promotion of peace, security, and stability in the region. (MAP: 13 May 2025)
Ya Biladi
12-05-2025
- General
- Ya Biladi
Moroccan and U.S. troops academic exercises in Agadir as African Lion 2025 launches in Morocco
Members of the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces and U.S. Army instructors took part in academic exercises last week in Agadir, as part of African Lion 2025—the largest annual military exercise in Africa. A video shared Monday by the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS)—a U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) platform that provides public access to military-related news—shows Royal Moroccan Armed Forces soldiers listening attentively and taking notes as U.S. soldiers deliver instruction as part of an academic exercise held on May 5. Another video shows similar academic courses were conducted on May 7 as well. These exercises are part of a series of operations scheduled to take place across Morocco until May 23, as part of the 21st edition of African Lion of which an opening ceremony was officially held on Monday. The ceremony, held at the headquarters of the Southern Zone Staff in Agadir, brought together military representatives from participating countries and was co-chaired by Major General Mohammed Benlouali, Chief of Staff of the South Zone, and Brigadier General Brian Cederman, Deputy Commander of SETAF-Africa. Major General Benlouali emphasized that the 21st edition of African Lion «reflects the strength of the partnership and spirit of cooperation linking the FAR, the U.S. Armed Forces, and the brotherly and friendly countries taking part». Brigadier General Cederman described the exercise as «a truly remarkable event, which testifies to the significant value of this training and the growing strength of our partnerships». Led by U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), African Lion 2025 brings together more than 10,000 troops from over 50 nations, including seven NATO allies. Taking place across Morocco, Ghana, Senegal, and Tunisia, the exercise features a wide-ranging training program, including operational planning, joint maneuvers, and NRBC (Nuclear, Radiological, Biological, and Chemical) decontamination, alongside humanitarian and civil assistance initiatives. In Morocco, the African Lion exercises will be held in the regions of Agadir, Tan-Tan, Tiznit, Kénitra, Benguérir, and Tifnit.
Morocco World
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
Morocco, US Launch 21st Edition of African Lion Military Exercise in Agadir
Doha – The 21st edition of the multinational African Lion military exercise officially kicked off Monday at the Southern Zone headquarters in Agadir. Co-organized by the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces (FAR) and the United States Armed Forces, this year's exercise will run until May 23 across several regions of Morocco. The opening ceremony was co-chaired by Major General Mohammed Benlouali, Chief of Staff of the Southern Zone, and Brigadier General Brian Cedeman, Deputy Commander of SETAF-AFRICA. Representatives from participating countries attended the event, where officials presented the command post simulation scenario and related activities planned for this edition. Speaking at the ceremony, Major General Benlouali stressed that the 21st edition of 'African Lion' reflects the solid partnership and cooperative spirit linking the FAR, US Armed Forces, and participating allied countries. 'This reinforced partnership has allowed us to develop skills across various programmed activities throughout the editions of this exercise,' he added. Brigadier General Cedeman described the African Lion exercise as 'a truly remarkable event that demonstrates the significant value of this training and the growing strength of our partnerships.' He affirmed that 'Morocco's commitment to African Lion testifies to the strength of our alliance,' noting that 'each of us is committed to promoting peace, prosperity, and security in the region and throughout the world.' The exercise will take place in the regions of Agadir, Tan-Tan, Tiznit, Kenitra, Benguerir, and Tifnit, featuring operational training spanning land, air, maritime, space, and cyber domains. Activities will include operational training in multiple domains, planning exercises for participating personnel, and CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear) decontamination training, alongside joint military maneuvers. Core components of the exercise include field training exercises, airborne and amphibious operations, special operations forces training, and HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System) rapid insertion. This year's edition will also feature parallel humanitarian and social activities, which organizers assert reinforce the exercise's comprehensive approach. African Lion 2025 aims to strengthen military cooperation between Morocco and the United States, develop interoperability, and enhance intervention capabilities in a multinational context, ultimately contributing to regional security, peace, and stability. The exercise is conducted in accordance with the instructions of King Mohammed VI, who serves as the Supreme Commander and Chief of General Staff of the Royal Armed Forces. African Lion has evolved since its inception in 2004 to become the US military's largest exercise on the African continent. US Africa Command's flagship annual exercise for this year, African Lion 25, officially kicked off on April 14 in Tunisia, with additional operations taking place in Ghana, Senegal, and Morocco throughout May. Gathering over 10,000 troops from more than 40 countries — including seven NATO allies — this year's edition became the largest and most ambitious in the exercise's history. This year, participating countries in Morocco include Cameroon, Cape Verde, Djibouti, France, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Hungary, Israel, Kenya, Nigeria, Portugal, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Observer countries span throughout Africa and beyond, including Belgium, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, India, Qatar, and the Republic of Congo, reflecting the broader interest in regional cooperation and collective security. Read also: Algeria Plays Silent Card as AFRICOM Confirms Invitation for African Lion 2025 Tags: African LionAfrican Lion Military ExerciseMorocco US Relations
