Trump announces elimination of global ISIS deputy

• US President Donald Trump announced the elimination of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, the global second-in-command of ISIS.
• The raid was "flawlessly" executed in Africa by a joint force of American and Nigerian troops.
• US intelligence indicates that al-Minuki's removal significantly degrades ISIS's global operational structure.

US President Donald Trump announced late Friday that a joint military operation between the United States and Nigeria has successfully eliminated Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, the global second-in-command of ISIS.

In a statement posted to his Truth Social platform, Trump described the operation as a "meticulously planned and very complex mission" aimed at removing the "most active terrorist in the world from the battlefield."

The raid claims a victory for the administration's counter-terrorism strategy in Africa, where ISIS and its regional affiliates have rapidly expanded their footprint.

Al-Minuki, who was placed under US sanctions in 2023 due to his foundational ties to the Islamic State network, had been tracking as a primary coordinator for global operations from his hideout on the continent.

Intelligence assets

According to the President's statement, the operation relied heavily on a network of embedded intelligence assets that monitored the terrorist leader's movements.

"Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, second in command of ISIS globally, thought he could hide in Africa," Trump wrote, "but little did he know we had sources who kept us informed on what he was doing."

The Pentagon has yet to release specific operational details regarding the exact location of the strike or the components of the US forces involved.

However, Trump praised the tactical execution by both American operators and the Armed Forces of Nigeria, calling their coordination flawless.

De-escalation of global terror

The removal of al-Minuki is expected to severely disrupt ISIS’s command structure, particularly its financial and logistical channels connecting African cells to the broader global network.

"He will no longer terrorize the people of Africa, or help plan operations to target Americans," Trump stated, adding that with this strike, "ISIS’s global operation is greatly diminished."

The successful mission also signals a significant shift in bilateral relations between Washington and Abuja.

The US military had previously carried out unilateral strikes targeting Islamist bases in northwestern Nigeria, following friction over regional security concerns.

Trump concluded his announcement by extending direct gratitude to the Nigerian government for its vital tactical partnership.