Date: May 16, 2026 l By Jan Porch
US President Donald Trump announced Friday that American and Nigerian forces had killed a senior Daesh commander during a joint counterterrorism operation in West Africa, describing the mission as a major victory against the extremist group’s global network.
According to Trump, the operation targeted Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki, identified by US officials as one of Daesh’s top international leaders and a major figure in the organization’s African operations. The mission was reportedly carried out by US special operations forces working alongside the Nigerian Armed Forces.
“Tonight, at my direction, brave American forces and the Armed Forces of Nigeria flawlessly executed a meticulously planned and very complex mission,” Trump said in a statement posted on Truth Social. He described Al-Minuki as “the most active terrorist in the world” and claimed the militant leader believed he could “hide in Africa.
The White House stated that the operation significantly weakened Daesh’s international structure and disrupted plans targeting both African nations and Western interests. Trump added that Al-Minuki “will no longer terrorize the people of Africa, or help plan operations to target Americans.
Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu, later confirmed the operation and praised the collaboration between Nigerian and American forces. Tinubu described the mission as a “daring joint operation” that dealt a major blow to Daesh-linked militants operating in the Lake Chad Basin and northeastern Nigeria.
The Nigerian military also confirmed Al-Minuki’s death, identifying him as a senior Daesh leader with influence across multiple extremist cells in West Africa. Nigerian defense officials stated that several additional militants were killed during the raid, though operational details and the exact location of the mission were not publicly disclosed.
Al-Minuki had been sanctioned by the United States in 2023 over his alleged involvement with Daesh’s West African affiliates. Intelligence agencies accused him of helping coordinate recruitment, logistics and international terrorist financing activities tied to Islamic State operations across the Sahel region.
The announcement comes amid renewed global attention on extremist violence in West Africa, where Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) factions continue launching attacks despite years of military operations by regional governments. Nigeria’s northeast remains one of the areas most heavily affected by insurgency-related violence.
Security analysts noted that the operation reflects expanding military cooperation between Washington and Abuja as concerns grow over the spread of extremist networks throughout West Africa and the wider Sahel region. The United States has increased intelligence sharing and counterterrorism support for several African governments in recent years amid fears that militant groups are exploiting political instability and weak border security.
The operation also unfolded during a period of wider geopolitical instability involving the Middle East and Gulf region. Several recent reports have highlighted growing regional tensions linked to Iran, Gulf states and expanding military cooperation between US allies across the Middle East and Africa.