Trump Announces Removal of IS Deputy in Joint US-Nigeria Operation

President Donald Trump announced that U.S. and Nigerian forces have successfully conducted a joint operation to eliminate Abu Bilal al-Minouki, the deputy leader of the Islamic State (IS).

On May 16, Trump revealed the operation's outcome on his social media platform, Truth Social, stating, "Under my direction, brave U.S. and Nigerian troops executed a meticulously planned and complex operation to remove one of the most active terrorists in the world from the battlefield."

He added, "Abu Bilal al-Minouki thought he could hide in Africa, but he was unaware that we had intelligence sources monitoring his activities."

Trump emphasized that al-Minouki would no longer be able to threaten African communities with terrorism or assist in planning operations targeting Americans, asserting, "His removal significantly reduces IS's global operations."

The president has previously indicated the possibility of military intervention in Nigeria, where attacks by IS have frequently targeted Christians. Last Christmas, U.S. forces conducted airstrikes in Nigeria alongside Nigerian troops against IS positions.