As extremist violence in West Africa's Sahel region spreads south toward coastal states, the United States military has launched its annual military training exercise which will help armies contain the jihadi threat. Soldiers from several African countries are being trained in counter-insurgency tactics as part of the annual U.S.-led exercise known as Flintlock.
Flintlock 2023
Ghanaian soldier performs in hook and climb drills during Flintlock 2023 on a Spanish frigate at Tema port, Ghana, Thursday, March 9, 2023.
Cabo Verde's soldiers conduct close-quarter combat drills during Flintlock 2023 on a Spanish frigate at Tema port, Ghana, Thursday, March 9, 2023.
Soldiers from Morocco conduct close-quarter combat drills during Flintlock 2023 on a Spanish frigate at Tema port, Ghana, Thursday, March 9, 2023.
Moroccan soldiers receive instructions during Flintlock 2023 on a Spanish frigate at Tema port, Ghana, Thursday, March 9, 2023.
Ghanaian soldiers receive instructions from a Dutch soldier during Flintlock 2023 on a Spanish frigate at Tema port, Ghana, Thursday, March 9, 2023.
Ghanaian soldiers conduct close-quarter combat drills during Flintlock 2023 on a Spanish frigate at Tema port, Ghana, Thursday, March 9, 2023.
Ghanaian soldiers performs in hook and climb drills during Flintlock 2023 on a Spanish frigate at Tema port, Ghana, Thursday, March 9, 2023.
Ghanaian soldiers receive instructions from a Dutch soldier during Flintlock 2023 on a Spanish frigate at Tema port, Ghana, Thursday, March 9, 2023.
Ghanaian soldiers conduct close-quarter combat drills during Flintlock 2023 on a Spanish frigate at Tema port, Ghana, Thursday, March 9, 2023.
Ghanaian soldiers led by a Dutch instructor prepare to conduct hook and climb drills during Flintlock 2023 on a Spanish frigate at Tema port, Ghana, Thursday, March 9, 2023.
Ghanaian Soldiers conduct hook and climb drills during Flintlock 2023 on a Spanish frigate at Tema port, Ghana, Thursday, March 9, 2023.
Ghanaian soldiers conduct combat drills during Flintlock 2023 at Sogakope beach resort, Ghana, Tuesday, March 14, 2023.
An U.S. Air Force B.52 bomber flies over combat drills during Flintlock 2023 at Sogakope beach resort, Ghana, Tuesday, March 14, 2023.
Ghanaian soldiers conduct combat drills during Flintlock 2023 at Sogakope beach resort, Ghana, Tuesday, March 14, 2023.
Ghanaian soldiers conduct combat drills during Flintlock 2023 at Sogakope beach resort, Ghana, Tuesday, March 14, 2023.
Ghanaian soldiers conduct combat drills during Flintlock 2023 at Sogakope beach resort, Ghana, Tuesday, March 14, 2023.
Ghanaian soldiers conduct combat drills during Flintlock 2023 at Sogakope beach resort, Ghana, Tuesday, March 14, 2023.
Rear Admiral Milton Sands, Commander of the U.S. Special Operations Command Africa (SOCAF) greets Ghanaian soldiers during Flintlock 2023 at Sogakope beach resort, Ghana, Tuesday, March 14, 2023.