Northeastern Nigeria, Nigeria – U.S. Africa Command announced that an operation carried out on May 16, 2026, targeted ISIS militants in northeastern Nigeria in coordination with the Government of Nigeria.

According to the command, the operation was conducted at the direction of the President of the United States and the Secretary of War.

AFRICOM’s initial assessment stated that multiple terrorists were killed during the strike, including Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, identified as the director of global operations for ISIS, along with other senior ISIS leaders.

The command also stated that no U.S. service members were harmed during the operation.

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