U.S. and Nigerian Forces Strike ISIS in Nigeria

U.S. and Nigerian forces executed another series of operations targeting ISIS fighters in Nigeria. This follows an earlier mission that resulted in the death of a high-ranking ISIS official, according to U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM). The recent strikes were conducted on Monday with the cooperation of Nigeria’s government. Ongoing assessments indicate that no U.S. or Nigerian personnel sustained injuries in these operations.

AFRICOM highlighted that the elimination of these terrorists reduces the group’s ability to plan attacks, thus enhancing the security of the U.S. and its allies. This development came shortly after President Donald Trump’s announcement that joint forces killed Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, described as the second-in-command of ISIS worldwide.

“Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, second in command of ISIS globally, thought he could hide in Africa, but little did he know we had sources who kept us informed on what he was doing,” Trump stated on Truth Social. He assured that al-Minuki would no longer pose a threat to Africans or Americans.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth disclosed that U.S. forces, alongside the Armed Forces of Nigeria, succeeded in neutralizing al-Minuki and other ISIS leaders. He mentioned that the operation had been in the works for several months, targeting figures responsible for the killing of Christians.

Additionally, the U.S. military carried out ten strikes on more than 30 ISIS targets in Syria after a December ambush that resulted in U.S. casualties. This continuous effort aims to apply persistent military pressure on the remnants of the terrorist network.