Morocco Prepares for Biggest Maneuvers in History of ‘African Lion’

Morocco's flag with a woman's shadow seen on it. AFP file photo
Morocco's flag with a woman's shadow seen on it. AFP file photo
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Morocco Prepares for Biggest Maneuvers in History of ‘African Lion’

Morocco's flag with a woman's shadow seen on it. AFP file photo
Morocco's flag with a woman's shadow seen on it. AFP file photo

The Moroccan military is setting the stage for the 2020 annual military exercises between the United States, Morocco and Tunisia dubbed "African Lion."

Morocco’s army announced on Facebook on Thursday that the leadership of the southern military region in Agadir organized last week a meeting to prepare for the drills that will bring together the three countries in addition to five other states from Europe and Africa.

The "African Lion” was first launched 16 years ago as part of the strategic military cooperation between Morocco and the US. Tunisia joined it three years ago.

The 2019 drills witnessed the participation of more than 2,000 soldiers from eight countries. They were seen as the largest in terms of the number of participants.

But the 2020 exercises that will also be held in southern Morocco are expected to see larger numbers of military units and observers, according to the statement posted on Facebook.

The joint and combined exercises involve various types of training including a Combined Joint Task Force Command Post Exercise linked with Intelligence Capacity Building Workshop and Basic Intelligence Course, Aviation Training Exercise, Field Training Exercises, Humanitarian Civic Assistance and Senior Leader Dialogue focused on counter-violent extremist organizations (VEOs), maritime/land/air border security challenges, transnational threats and regional cooperation, and cyber security and defense.



Israel Carries Out Intense Airstrikes in Southern Lebanon, 1 Dead

Smoke rises after Israeli airstrikes near Nabatiyeh in southern Lebanon on June 27, 2025. (Photo by Rabih DAHER / AFP)
Smoke rises after Israeli airstrikes near Nabatiyeh in southern Lebanon on June 27, 2025. (Photo by Rabih DAHER / AFP)
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Israel Carries Out Intense Airstrikes in Southern Lebanon, 1 Dead

Smoke rises after Israeli airstrikes near Nabatiyeh in southern Lebanon on June 27, 2025. (Photo by Rabih DAHER / AFP)
Smoke rises after Israeli airstrikes near Nabatiyeh in southern Lebanon on June 27, 2025. (Photo by Rabih DAHER / AFP)

Israel’s air force carried out intense airstrikes on mountains overlooking a southern Lebanon city on Friday in an attack that the Israeli military said targeted Hezbollah underground assets.

The airstrikes came in two waves on the mountains overlooking Nabatiyeh and bunker buster bombs were used, Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported. There was no immediate information about casualties.

Since the 14-month Israel-Hezbollah war ended with a US-brokered ceasefire in November, Israel has carried out almost daily airstrikes on southern Lebanon. Friday’s strikes were more intense than usual.

The Israeli military said in a statement that its fighter jets struck a site used by Hezbollah to manage its fire and defense array in the area and is part of a significant underground project that was completely taken out of use.

The Israeli army said it identified rehabilitation attempts by Hezbollah beforehand and struck infrastructure sites in the area.

There was no comment from Hezbollah.

An Israeli drone also targeted on Friday an apartment in a two-story building in Nabatiyeh.

Lebanon's health ministry said a woman was killed and 11 other people were wounded in the strike.

"The Israeli enemy strike on an apartment in Nabatiyeh led to a preliminary toll of one woman killed and 11 people wounded," the ministry said in a statement carried by the official National News Agency.