In First, IDF Takes Part in “African Lion” Military Exercise in Morocco
A delegation of 12 “Golani” fighters will participate in the US-led drill over two weeks. Israel’s National Security Advisor is also currently visiting in the country
Mandi Kogosowski
| 07/06/2023
The ”Golani” delegation, holding both the Israeli national flag and their unit’s flag. Photo: IDF website
A delegation of 12 fighters and commanders from the IDF infantry brigade “Golani” is currently taking place in the “African Lion” 2023 military drill in Morocco, marking Israel’s first-ever participation, in the US Africa Command’s (AFRICOM) largest annual combined, joint exercise.
“African Lion” 2023 started on May 13th and will end on June 18th, taking place in Ghana, Senegal and Tunisia, in addition to Morocco. Eighteen nations and approximately 8,000 will have taken part in the exercise by the time it is done.
The “Golani” fighters will remain in Morocco for two weeks, during which they will “focus on practicing various combat challenges that combine urban infantry warfare and underground warfare in which they specialize, and will conclude the training in a joint exercise for all armies.” This, according to the official IDF statement.
“The purpose of the exercise is to strengthen the relationships between the countries, and to create a mutual learning opportunity amongst armies,” the statement concluded.
Israel’s National Security Advisor and National Security Council Director, Tzachi Hanegbi, is also in currently in Morocco. Yesterday (Wednesday), Hanegbi held a series of meetings in Rabat, including with Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita and the heads of the security services.
Israel and Morocco normalized their relations in December 2020, having joined the Abraham Accords previously signed with the UAE, Bahrain, and Sudan. The following year, both countries signed their first-ever defense agreement, which focused on security cooperation, intelligence sharing, and future arms sales.
A delegation of 12 “Golani” fighters will participate in the US-led drill over two weeks. Israel’s National Security Advisor is also currently visiting in the country
The ”Golani” delegation, holding both the Israeli national flag and their unit’s flag. Photo: IDF website
A delegation of 12 fighters and commanders from the IDF infantry brigade “Golani” is currently taking place in the “African Lion” 2023 military drill in Morocco, marking Israel’s first-ever participation, in the US Africa Command’s (AFRICOM) largest annual combined, joint exercise.
“African Lion” 2023 started on May 13th and will end on June 18th, taking place in Ghana, Senegal and Tunisia, in addition to Morocco. Eighteen nations and approximately 8,000 will have taken part in the exercise by the time it is done.
The “Golani” fighters will remain in Morocco for two weeks, during which they will “focus on practicing various combat challenges that combine urban infantry warfare and underground warfare in which they specialize, and will conclude the training in a joint exercise for all armies.” This, according to the official IDF statement.
“The purpose of the exercise is to strengthen the relationships between the countries, and to create a mutual learning opportunity amongst armies,” the statement concluded.
Israel’s National Security Advisor and National Security Council Director, Tzachi Hanegbi, is also in currently in Morocco. Yesterday (Wednesday), Hanegbi held a series of meetings in Rabat, including with Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita and the heads of the security services.
Israel and Morocco normalized their relations in December 2020, having joined the Abraham Accords previously signed with the UAE, Bahrain, and Sudan. The following year, both countries signed their first-ever defense agreement, which focused on security cooperation, intelligence sharing, and future arms sales.
