The Israel Defense Forces on Monday said it had sent a delegation of troops to participate in a major American-led military drill held in Morocco and nearby African nations, a first for the Israeli army.
The US Africa Command said its joint annual drill with Morocco — dubbed “African Lion” — involves some 8,000 servicemembers, and would run between May 13 through June 18.
Israeli troops are only participating in the drill in Morocco, though parts of the exercise are also held in Ghana, Senegal, and Tunisia, which does not have any diplomatic ties with Israel.
In all, troops from 18 countries, including the host nations, are to participate in the African Lion 2023 drill, AFRICOM said.
Twelve soldiers of the Golani Brigade’s reconnaissance unit left Israel on Sunday to join in the final two weeks of the international drill in Morocco, marking the first time the IDF takes an active part in the African Lion exercise.
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