Participation of Israel’s Most Historic Infantry Unit in “African Lion” Military Exercises in Morocco
ALDAR/
An Israeli military delegation composed of 12 soldiers and officers from the elite unit of the Golani Brigade is taking part in the latest edition of the “African Lion 2025” exercises, which have begun on Moroccan soil with broad participation from international forces representing various continents.
These large-scale drills—among the biggest in Africa—are organized under the supervision of the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), in close cooperation with the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces. This marks one of the most prominent instances of Israeli involvement, with the Israeli Ground Forces playing a participatory role in the planning and execution of several aspects of the exercise, alongside roughly 8,000 troops from 18 countries, including the United States, Morocco, and Ghana.
The Israeli delegation includes highly specialized personnel who were carefully selected to contribute to scenarios simulating complex combat conditions, such as urban warfare, countering unconventional threats, and conducting covert operations in underground environments. These types of missions require a high level of physical and technical readiness, as well as multi-level coordination.
Spanning two weeks, the exercises go beyond pure military drills; they aim to build bridges of cooperation among the participating armies and facilitate the exchange of expertise and operational integration. This enhances the capacity of these forces to operate in multinational environments and unconventional security contexts.
The “African Lion” event concludes with a comprehensive field exercise involving all international units present, serving as a practical culmination of this massive military event and showcasing the level of harmony achieved among the participating forces across various operational areas.
It is worth noting that the Golani Brigade, established shortly after the founding of the State of Israel in 1948, is considered one of the oldest and most prestigious infantry units in the Israeli military. It is known for its expertise in ground combat operations and its long-standing presence in northern Israel. The brigade falls under Division 36 and consists of several combat battalions. Its symbol is the olive tree, a symbolic representation that reflects a blend of combat readiness and deep historical roots within the Israeli military doctrine.
