RABAT: Israeli soldiers will, for the first time, take part in military exercises in Morocco when the biggest war games event in Africa kicks off Tuesday (today), said the Israeli army.
“This is the first time that the IDF is taking an active part in the ‘African Lion’ international exercise,” said a statement from the Israeli army late Monday.
“A delegation of 12 soldiers and commanders from the Golani Reconnaissance Battalion” — an elite infantry unit — has been sent to participate alongside 8,000 soldiers from 18 countries. This is the 19th edition and is organized by the United States and Morocco jointly.
“During the next two weeks, the soldiers would focus on training in various combat challenges that combine urban warfare and underground warfare, in which they would conclude in a common exercise for all involving armies,” read the Israeli statement.
However, Israel participated in the event last year as an international army observer without soldiers taking part on the ground.
According to the Moroccan Royal Armed Forces (FAR), the war games include exercises in operational planning and fighting arms of mass destruction, sea, tactical land, air and special forces training, and airborne operations.
Israel and Morocco have been working to boost cooperation in the military, security, trade and tourism fields since they normalized relations in December 2020.
