**
In a significant operation, US President Donald Trump announced the successful elimination of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, the deputy leader of the Islamic State (ISIS), by American and Nigerian forces. This operation, described by Trump as a “meticulously planned and very complex mission,” marks a critical development in the ongoing struggle against terrorism in West Africa. The announcement was made on Trump’s Truth Social platform, where he underscored the role of US intelligence in tracking al-Minuki’s movements.
A High-Profile Target
Abu-Bilal al-Minuki had gained notoriety as one of ISIS’s most influential leaders, particularly in the Sahel region. His involvement with the group led to his designation as a “specially designated global terrorist” by the US State Department in 2023, primarily due to his close ties to ISIS’s operational and financial strategies. The US government cited al-Minuki’s role in orchestrating attacks that not only targeted civilians
