The National / June 6, 2023
Israel took part in ‘African Lion’ event last year but only as international military observers.
Israeli soldiers will for the first time take part in military exercises in Morocco when the biggest war games event in Africa starts on Tuesday.
“This is the first time that the IDF is taking an active part in the ‘African Lion’ international exercise,” Israeli army said late on Monday.
“A delegation of 12 soldiers and commanders from the Golani Reconnaissance Battalion” – an elite infantry unit – has been sent to take part along with 8,000 soldiers from 18 countries.
The event, now in its 19th session, is organized by Morocco and the US.
“During the next two weeks, the soldiers will focus on training in various combat challenges that combine urban warfare and underground warfare, in which they will conclude in a common exercise for all participating armies,” the Israeli statement said.
Israel took part in the event last year, but only as international military observers.
The Moroccan Royal Armed Forces said the war games included exercises in operational planning and fighting against weapons of mass destruction, tactical land, sea, air and special forces training, and airborne operations.
Morocco and Israel have been working to boost co-operation in the military, security, trade and tourism fields since they normalized ties in December 2020.
_____
Israel joins African military exercises in Morocco
Middle East Monitor / June 6, 2023
The Israeli army is participating in the African Lion 2023 military manoeuvres in Morocco for the first time.
The Israeli army spokesman announced in a statement that a number of its soldiers will “actively” participate in the military manoeuvres which are considered the largest in Africa.
According to the Israeli military spokesman: “a delegation of 12 soldiers and officers from the Golani Reconnaissance Battalion left Israel on Sunday, to participate in the African Lion 2023 manoeuvres in Morocco.”
“This is the first time that the Israeli army has actively participated in these international manoeuvres on Moroccan soil,” the statement added.
In its statement, the Israeli army pointed out that “in the next two weeks, our soldiers will focus on training in various combat situations that combine guerrilla warfare in cities and underground warfare and will conclude with joint training for all participating armies.”
The 19th edition of the African Lion military exercises, jointly organized annually by Morocco and the US, begin today and last ten days. Nearly 8,000 soldiers are expected to participate from 18 countries.
Last year, the Israeli army participated in the African Lion, but only at the level of international military observers, meaning its soldiers did not partake in the exercises.
The Moroccan Inspector General stated that the manoeuvres this year include “land, sea, air and joint tactical exercises, day and night, a joint exercise for special forces, airborne operations, a field military hospital that provides surgical-medical services for the population, and exercises to combat weapons of mass destruction.”
Morocco and Israel have been working to fast-track their cooperation on the military, security, trade and tourism levels since they agreed to normalize relations in December 2020.
