The US military recently concluded a tunnel warfare exercise in Tifnit, Morocco, as part of African Lion 2024 (AL24), a premier joint exercise led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF).
The exercise, held from April 19 to May 31, featured over 8,100 participants from 27 nations, including NATO contingents.
Tunnel warfare involves the use of tunnels and underground cavities for military operations, both for offensive and defensive purposes. It can include creating underground facilities to attack or defend, using existing natural caves, and constructing artificial underground structures. Tunnels can be used to undermine fortifications, launch surprise attacks, facilitate ambushes, conduct counterattacks, and move troops covertly. They can also serve as shelters from enemy attacks.
The AL24 exercise included a range of scenarios, such as subterranean warfare, psychological operations, building clearing, combined assaults, fast-rope insertion, rappelling, and hostage rescue. These exercises are essential for preparing forces to operate in diverse and challenging environments.
During the training, a remotely controlled Micro Tactical Ground Robot navigated a subterranean passage. Green Berets from the 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Utah National Guard, trained alongside partner forces near Tifnit, Morocco.
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in 2023 highlighted the significance of tunnel warfare, with reports indicating that Hamas had constructed extensive tunnel networks under Gaza. Capturing and destroying these tunnels was a priority for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).