Israeli Soldiers Join African Lion 2023 For First Time
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Loading... - Agnes Turkson
- 06 Jun 2023
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Israeli military personnel are poised to partake in the African Lion 2023, a multinational military training exercise jointly organized by Morocco and the United States. Spanning from June 5 to 16, this collaborative endeavor brings together more than 8,000 soldiers from 18 nations, providing valuable training opportunities and fostering international cooperation.
According to a statement from the Israeli army cited by AFP, this marks the inaugural participation of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in the international exercise called "African Lion." A delegation comprising 12 soldiers and commanders from the esteemed Golani Reconnaissance Battalion, an elite infantry unit, has been deployed to engage in the training. This notable departure from the previous year's involvement, where Israel solely served as international military observers, underscores the deepening partnership between Israel and Morocco.
Over the course of the two-week exercise, the Israeli soldiers will concentrate on refining their skills in diverse combat scenarios, encompassing urban and underground warfare. These immersive training sessions will culminate in a joint exercise involving all participating armies, highlighting the significance of this engagement for the IDF and its commitment to enhancing capabilities in demanding operational environments.
African Lion 2023 encompasses a wide range of military activities, including operational planning, counteracting weapons of mass destruction, land, sea, and air tactical training, special forces operations, and airborne exercises. The military training will span across seven regions in Morocco, namely Agadir, Tan-Tan, Tiznit, Kenitra, Benguerir, Tifnit, and Mahbes, situated in the southern part of the country.
The event commenced with a formal inauguration ceremony on June 5, during which military representatives unveiled the training's theme and provided detailed information about the various activities scheduled throughout the exercise's duration. Notably, the African Lion initiative also incorporates military field hospitals, offering vital medical services to nearby communities during the training, underscoring its commitment to humanitarian endeavors.
Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in December 2020, Morocco and Israel have actively forged closer ties in various domains, including the military, security, trade, and tourism sectors. The participation of Israeli soldiers in African Lion 2023 further solidifies the growing partnership between the two nations, paving the way for fresh avenues of collaboration and knowledge exchange.
