Military observers from 8 countries took part, on Tuesday, in operational training at Cap Draa (north of Tan-Tan), as part of the 19th edition of the combined Moroccan-American exercise, African Lion 2023.
The military land maneuvers, which took place on the maneuvering area at the mouth of the Oued Draa in Tan-Tan, in preparation for the “African Lion 2023” closing exercises scheduled for next Friday in the same area, saw the participation of units from the Royal Armed Forces and the American Armed Forces.
The operational training included heavy artillery shells, Moroccan-American armored vehicle fire, and infantry maneuvers aboard heavy armored personnel carriers.
They were also marked by the execution of an operation using military equipment from military engineering units, aimed at breaching the barriers set up by the enemy. The equipment used triggered a large explosion to destroy these barriers, enabling friendly units to continue their progression through secure corridors, as part of attack and counter-attack missions.
The military maneuvers were monitored on site by Major General Mohamed Makboub, Commander of the Draa Valley military sector, and by military observers from 8 countries, namely Sierra Leone, Egypt, Liberia, Portugal, Cabo Verde, Pakistan, Azerbaijan, and Hungary.
Following the maneuvers, several military observers said they were impressed by these exercises, in terms of both planning and organization.
In this context, William Preston, Sergeant First Class in the US Armed Forces, said he was “impressed” by the level of organization of these maneuvers, stressing that “the coordination has been really perfect.”
Lieutenant-Colonel Geoffroy ST Gal de Pons, representative of the US Embassy in Brazil, expressed his delight at being present in Morocco for the first time, saying that this combined exercise would further strengthen the partnership between Morocco and the United States.
He emphasized that the African Lion exercise is aimed at preserving peace and security on the African continent.
Jas Gbondo, Air Commodore of the Sierra Leone Air Force, underlined the “exceptional level” of this military exercise, expressing his pride at taking part, as an observer, in these military maneuvers, whose level of coordination between the participating military forces is “excellent”. “I can say that this military exercise was a real success”, he said.
For his part, Gee Charto Bobby, Sergeant First Class in the Armed Forces of Liberia, expressed admiration for the high level of this “well-planned and coordinated” exercise, underlining the importance of African Lion drills in strengthening security in the Sahel and Sahara region.
As part of the parallel humanitarian activities of the African Lion 2023, a field medical-surgical hospital has been deployed in the local community of Rasmouka in Tiznit Province.
The multidisciplinary health facility, mobilizing doctors and nurses from FAR and the US Army, has been operational since May 30, offering medical and surgical services to the local population.
Up to Monday June 12, this field hospital had welcomed 7,800 patients, who had benefited from more than 24,500 medical and surgical services.
In addition, 300 surgical procedures were carried out, 1,450 pairs of eyeglasses distributed and 7,800 prescriptions issued.
African Lion is a combined joint exercise organized each year by FAR and the US Armed Forces.
The exercise, which will run until June 16 in seven Moroccan regions (Agadir, Tan-Tan, Mehbes, Tiznit, Kenitra, Benguerir and Tifnit), is an annual event that contributes to consolidating Moroccan-American military cooperation and strengthening exchanges between the armed forces of different countries with a view to promoting security and stability in the region.