US Africa Command Conducts Further Airstrikes Against ISIL Fighters in Nigeria

Abuja. The US military’s Africa Command (AFRICOM) has stated that further airstrikes were carried out against Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) fighters active in the northeastern region of Nigeria. These strikes were reportedly conducted in coordination with the Nigerian government. 

According to AFRICOM, no American or Nigerian security personnel were harmed in these additional military actions carried out on Sunday. 

A statement issued by the command indicated that these actions were aimed at weakening the terrorist group’s ability to plan attacks. It also mentioned that the US remains committed to eliminating shared security threats in collaboration with its partners. 

This latest action comes after Nigeria and the US announced two days prior that a joint operation had resulted in the death of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, a second-tier ISIL leader. Nigerian President Bola Tinubu stated that the attack occurred in the Tal Chad Basin region. 

US President Donald Trump first announced the operation via social media. Analysts suggest that the death of al-Minuki could create a significant vacuum in the leadership structure of ISIL-affiliated groups active in West Africa. 

This is also expected to impact the group’s financial and military capabilities. Recently, security cooperation between the US and Nigeria has been increasing. US soldiers have been deployed in Nigeria for several months, providing training, intelligence sharing, and technical support in the fight against terrorism.