U.S. Military Announces Record Participation in African Lion 2025 Exercises in Morocco, with Algeria and Israel as Observers Drawing Attention
The U.S. military is set to host the largest African Lion 2025 exercises in Morocco, focusing on enhancing military capabilities and partnerships. The event will feature diverse activities and participation from numerous countries, including Algeria and Israel as observers. This underscores a growing interest in regional military collaboration and security dynamics.
hassan benyoub 
Rabat, April 09, 2025 – The U.S. military has unveiled the lineup for the African Lion 2025 exercises, set to be the largest iteration of this joint military training event in Africa to date. Hosted primarily in Morocco, the drills aim to enhance the capabilities of participating forces and foster operational integration with African partners and allies in a complex, multi-domain environment, according to General Andrew C. Gainey, Commander of the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF).
The exercises will feature an extensive range of activities, including field training, airborne and amphibious operations, and special forces engagements. Key highlights include rapid deployment drills for HIMARS systems, humanitarian civil assistance initiatives, and medical readiness training. Additionally, cutting-edge capabilities such as integrated cyber defense and next-generation systems like the Next Generation Squad Weapon (NGSW) will be tested, signaling a forward-looking approach to military cooperation.
Unprecedented Participation and Notable Observers
This year’s edition boasts record-breaking participation from African, European, and American nations. The official roster includes countries such as Benin, Brazil, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Egypt, France, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Hungary, Italy, Kenya, Liberia, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Portugal, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
However, what has captured widespread attention is the presence of Algeria and Israel as observers, alongside other nations like Belgium, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, India, Qatar, the Republic of Congo, and Turkey. This development underscores a broad regional interest in military collaboration and highlights the geopolitical significance of the event.
Morocco Takes Center Stage
Morocco will serve as the primary hub for African Lion 2025, with portions of the exercises slated to take place in the Moroccan Sahara. Since its inception in 2004, the event has grown into the U.S. military’s premier training initiative in Africa. This year’s activities reaffirm the United States’ commitment to enduring partnerships, crisis response, threat deterrence, and peace promotion through strength.
The inclusion of diverse participants and high-profile observers like Algeria and Israel adds a layer of intrigue to an already pivotal exercise, reflecting evolving dynamics in regional security cooperation. As preparations intensify, African Lion 2025 is poised to set a new benchmark for multinational military readiness in Africa.
Stay tuned for updates on this landmark event and its implications for global defense strategies.
