The global operations of the Islamic State (ISIS) have suffered a significant setback following the elimination of one of its top commanders, according to United States President Donald Trump. Trump announced that Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, described as the second-in-command of ISIS operations in Africa, was killed in a joint operation carried out by U.S. forces in coordination with Nigerian security agencies.
In a statement posted on his social media platform “Truth Social,” Trump said the operation marked a major victory against terrorism in Africa. He stated that the coordinated strike was conducted in Nigeria and successfully neutralized a high-value ISIS target responsible for coordinating multiple global terror activities.
Al-Minuki, born in Nigeria, was a senior commander in the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and was reportedly involved in overseeing terror networks, operational planning, and funding channels. He had been designated a global terrorist by the United States in 2023 due to his role in orchestrating attacks against American and allied interests across regions.
Trump further stated that the militant leader believed he was safe in remote regions of Africa, but remained under constant surveillance by U.S. intelligence agencies. He added that the operation was carried out under his authorization and described it as a decisive blow to ISIS operations, asserting that the group’s global network would be further weakened.
The former U.S. President also expressed gratitude to the Nigerian government and its security forces for their cooperation in the mission. He noted that the elimination of al-Minuki would significantly disrupt ISIS-linked activities in the African region and reduce the group’s ability to coordinate attacks.
ISIS, also known as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, emerged from Al-Qaeda in Iraq following the post-war insurgency and expanded rapidly under the leadership of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, who declared a self-styled “caliphate” in 2014 across large parts of Iraq and Syria. The group gained global notoriety for its extreme violence and mass casualty attacks.
At its peak, ISIS carried out major international terror attacks, including the Paris attacks in 2015, the Brussels bombings in 2016, and the Orlando nightclub shooting in the United States. The organization has since been designated as a terrorist entity by several countries and international bodies, including the United Nations.
Following sustained military campaigns by international coalitions, ISIS has lost most of its territorial control and its leadership has been repeatedly targeted, leading to successive changes in its top command structure. The group currently operates in fragmented cells across Africa and Asia, continuing limited insurgent and guerrilla-style activities rather than controlling territory as it once did.