African Lion 2025: Italian Special Forces in the spotlight in Tunisia
She international exercise 'African Lion 2025', one of the most significant annual military events organised under the aegis of the US Africa Command, ended on 30 April 2025 in Tunisia. The exercise saw the participation of over 10,000 soldiers from more than 20 nations, including forces from Italy, the US, Tunisia and other African countries. This operation involved a broad spectrum of military activities, from ground to air operations, and was designed to improve cooperation between the armed forces of the various participating countries, with the objective of improving operational readiness and capacity to deal with global crises. Operations took place on several fronts, including the areas of Bizerte and Ben Ghilouf, where Special Forces and Conventional Forces units were concentrated.
The core of the exercise took place in Tunisia, but also involved other African states, such as Morocco, Ghana and the Ivory Coast, which were already participating in the 'Flintlock 25' exercise in Central Africa. Tunisia played a crucial role as host country and, during the final ceremony, military personnel who had distinguished themselves during the operations were honoured. Among those present at the ceremony were the Italian Ambassador to Tunisia, Alessandro Prunas, the Deputy Commander of the Inter-Forces Summit Operations Command (COFS) and the Military Attaché for Defence, who recognised the commitment and valour of the Italian soldiers and their allies.
Objectives and activities carried out during the exercise
The 'African Lion 2025' exercise saw a strong commitment of the Italian Special Forces, which joined US and Tunisian forces in joint operations, developing a series of field activities that took place over 11 days of intensive training. The culminating operations were two large aeroterrestrial manoeuvres, involving both Special Forces and conventional forces, demonstrating the ability to interact and operate in complex scenarios.
The aim of the exercise was to strengthen interoperability between participants, improve the ability to respond to crises and contingencies in Africa and globally, and consolidate cooperation between the military forces of different nations. Specific activities included a command and control exercise, field exercises, and live-fire demonstrations. In addition, humanitarian assistance events took place, including medical, dental and veterinary missions in Morocco, Ghana and Senegal, which helped improve relations between the armed forces and local communities.
The Italian Armed Forces, in particular, have received the appreciation of the Tunisian military leadership for the quality of their cooperation, leading to the adoption of new synergies in the future. The strengthening of ties between Italy and Tunisia, together with the participation in joint exercises, is expected to have a positive impact on future operations in the Mediterranean area.
Future prospects and the importance of the exercise
The conclusion of the 'African Lion 2025' exercise is only the beginning of a path of increasing cooperation between the armed forces of the participating countries. The exercise demonstrated that interoperability between forces of different nationalities is crucial in responding to increasingly complex global threats. Joint operations between the various departments helped to improve not only the ability to operate in hostile environments, but also to build trust between soldiers of different nations.
The exercise also had a symbolic value, as it highlighted the growing importance of international military cooperation for the security and stability of the African and Mediterranean region. The Tunisian leaders emphasised how synergy with Italian forces can further strengthen the country's defensive capabilities and, consequently, contribute to the stability of the entire region. The importance of events such as the African Lion lies in the ability to train and prepare armed forces for dynamic and multidimensional scenarios, improving their operational readiness and ability to react promptly to any type of crisis.
In summary, the 'African Lion 2025' exercise not only represented a milestone in joint training between armed forces of different nations, but also created fertile ground for future collaborations that could further strengthen global and regional security.
Published by Condoralex
Born Alessandro Generotti, C.le Maj. Parachutist on leave. Military Parachutist Patent no. 192806. 186th RGT Par. Folgore/5th BTG. Par. El Alamein/XIII Cp. Par. Condor.
Founder and administrator of the website BRIGATAFOLGORE.NET. Blogger and computer scientist by profession.
