African Lion Exercises 2025: A Field Hospital Embodying Humanitarian Cooperation Between the Royal Armed Forces and the American Army
The twenty-first edition of the "African Lion" exercises, conducted jointly by the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces and their American counterparts, has commenced, showcasing the strategic partnership and robust military cooperation between the two countries. These exercises represent one of the largest multinational training operations on the African continent, encompassing not only field and tactical drills but also humanitarian activities with a clear social dimension.
In this context, and based on the high directives of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, the Supreme Commander and Chief of Staff of the Royal Armed Forces, a field surgical hospital has been established in the Anzi area of the Tiznit region. This initiative aims to enhance the humanitarian aspect of joint military operations. The field hospital symbolizes the spirit of solidarity and social welfare by providing various medical services to the local population in a professional setting, supervised by Moroccan and American military medical teams.
Since its services began on January 5th of this year, the hospital has managed to provide over 44,000 medical services to more than 12,000 beneficiaries, covering various medical specialties, including consultations, treatments, and examinations, along with the provision of free medications. The organizers of this initiative have paid special attention to the early diagnosis of certain chronic diseases and common cancers, particularly breast and cervical cancer, due to their widespread health threats among women.
Noteworthy in this humanitarian work is the allocation of recreational spaces for children accompanying their parents, contributing to an atmosphere of reassurance and joy, reflecting the comprehensive nature of this humanitarian initiative. Many beneficiaries expressed their profound gratitude for this outstanding step, affirming the quality of the medical services provided and the efficiency of the medical teams working in harmony and coherence.
The field hospital clearly illustrates one facet of the bilateral cooperation between the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces and the American Army, highlighting how military exercises can transform into a driver for local development and an effective means of serving humanity, representing one of the most successful models of synergy between military and humanitarian work.
