Washington: US President Donald Trump announced that American forces, working alongside Nigeria’s military, had carried out a major counterterrorism operation that resulted in the death of a senior ISIS leader believed to be one of the group’s top global commanders.
In a statement shared on social media, Trump said the operation was conducted under his direct orders and described it as a carefully coordinated mission aimed at eliminating Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, who he identified as the second-highest-ranking figure in the international ISIS structure.
According to Trump, the target had been hiding in Africa while allegedly helping direct extremist activities and plotting attacks linked to American interests. He claimed intelligence agencies had been closely monitoring the militant’s movements before launching the operation.
The US President said the mission was executed successfully in coordination with Nigerian armed forces and praised the West African nation for its cooperation in tackling terrorism.
Trump stated that the militant’s death would significantly weaken ISIS’s international network and reduce its ability to plan or support future attacks.
He also said the operation sends a strong message that the United States will continue tracking and targeting individuals accused of threatening global security, regardless of where they attempt to hide.
The Nigerian government has not yet issued a detailed public statement on the reported strike, and independent confirmation regarding the identity of the militant or the exact location of the operation has not been released.
Security analysts say if confirmed, the operation would represent one of the most significant blows to ISIS-linked groups operating in Africa in recent years.
The region has seen increased extremist activity over the past decade, with terror organisations exploiting instability in parts of West and Central Africa to expand recruitment and launch attacks.
Trump concluded his message by thanking Nigerian authorities for their partnership and hailed the operation as another major success in the global fight against terrorism.
