US claims ISIS second-in-command killed in Africa-based operation

Washington, United States: US President Donald Trump has said American and Nigerian forces have killed a senior Islamic State group leader in a joint operation in Nigeria.

Posting on Truth Social, Trump said:

"Tonight, at my direction, brave American forces and the Armed Forces of Nigeria flawlessly executed a meticulously planned and very complex mission to eliminate the most active terrorist in the world from the battlefield,"

He identified the target as Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, described as the second-in-command of ISIS globally.

"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," he added.

Al-Minuki had been placed under US sanctions in 2023 over alleged links to the Islamic State group.

"He will no longer terrorize the people of Africa, or help plan operations to target Americans," Trump said."With his removal, ISIS's global operation is greatly diminished."

Trump also thanked the government of Nigeria for its "partnership" in the operation.

Officials said the strike was carried out in Nigeria as part of what they described as a high-stakes, complex military mission conducted under direct orders from the US President. American troops reportedly worked alongside the Nigerian Armed Forces to track and locate the target.

Washington said al-Minuki believed he could remain hidden across Africa, but intelligence inputs were used to monitor his movements continuously, enabling the joint raid.

US officials have said the killing significantly weakens ISIS operations globally. Before his death, al-Minuki was allegedly involved in planning attacks targeting American citizens as well as individuals across Africa.