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In a significant development in the fight against terrorism, former US President Donald Trump announced that US and Nigerian military forces successfully executed a mission resulting in the death of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, the Islamic State’s deputy leader. This operation is seen as a pivotal moment in the ongoing battle against extremist groups operating within Africa and beyond.
Operation Details
On May 15, 2026, Trump took to his Truth Social platform to share the news of al-Minuki’s elimination. He described the operation as “meticulously planned” and “very complex,” highlighting the bravery of both American and Nigerian forces involved in the mission. “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,” Trump stated.
Al-Minuki had been under US sanctions since 2023 due to his connections with the Islamic State and was classified as a “