Trump: US Forces and Nigerian Troops Eliminate ISIS's Second-in-Command
U.S. President Trump announced that U.S. forces, in collaboration with Nigerian troops, have killed Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, the second-highest ranking figure in the Islamic State (IS). Trump thanked Nigeria for its cooperation, stating that the operation significantly weakened ISIS's global operations.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 16, 2026 at 14:12
- 🔍 Collected: May 16, 2026 at 14:31 (19 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 16, 2026 at 14:49 (17 min after Collected)
U.S. President Donald Trump announced on his social media platform, Truth Social, that Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, identified as the global second-in-command of the Islamic State (IS), has been eliminated in a joint operation conducted by U.S. forces and the Nigerian military. Trump stated that under his direction, the forces executed a "flawlessly planned and executed" mission to remove a "most active terrorist" from the battlefield. He asserted that al-Minuki, who was sanctioned by the U.S. in 2023 due to his ties with IS, can no longer threaten people in Africa or assist in planning attacks against Americans. Trump expressed gratitude to the Nigerian government for their cooperation in the operation, emphasizing that the elimination of al-Minuki has significantly weakened ISIS's global operations. This announcement comes after Trump had previously criticized Nigeria over the alleged persecution of Christians, a claim denied by the Nigerian government. Last Christmas, U.S. forces conducted strikes in northwestern Nigeria targeting locations believed to be Islamist strongholds following Trump's accusations.
FAQ
Who was eliminated in the joint operation?
Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, identified as the global second-in-command of the Islamic State (IS), was eliminated.
Which countries' forces participated in the operation?
U.S. forces and Nigerian military forces participated in the operation.
What was the significance of this operation?
The operation is significant because it eliminated a high-ranking IS figure, weakening the group's global operations and its ability to plan attacks.
When was Abu-Bilal al-Minuki sanctioned by the U.S.?
Abu-Bilal al-Minuki was sanctioned by the U.S. in 2023 due to his ties with the Islamic State.
Did the U.S. previously conduct operations in Nigeria related to Islamist groups?
Yes, last Christmas, U.S. forces conducted strikes in northwestern Nigeria targeting suspected Islamist strongholds following accusations made by President Trump.