United States and Nigerian military forces eliminated Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, the alleged second-in-command of ISIL (ISIS), in a joint operation on Friday, President Donald Trump announced. Trump described al-Minuki as the ‘most active terrorist in the world’ and credited American and Nigerian troops for executing a ‘flawless’ mission.

ISIL leader’s deputy killed in Africa Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, a Sahel-based senior leader of ISIL, was targeted in an operation that Trump said involved ‘sources’ keeping U.S. forces informed of his movements. The president did not disclose specific locations or methods used in the raid but thanked the Nigerian government for its partnership. Al-Minuki had been under U.S. sanctions since 2023 for his ties to ISIL, when the State Department designated him a ‘global terrorist.’

US sanctions and ISIL’s administrative structure The U.S. State Department first labeled al-Minuki in 2023, identifying him as part of ISIL’s General Directorate of Provinces—the group’s administrative arm that oversees operations across multiple regions. At the time, the department described him as a key figure in ISIL’s Sahel operations, which have expanded in recent years amid instability in countries like Nigeria, Niger, and Mali. His death comes as ISIL affiliates continue to conduct attacks across Africa’s Sahel region.

Trump praises cooperation, details remain sparse Trump’s announcement on Truth Social emphasized the precision of the operation but offered no further operational details. The White House has not yet issued a formal statement or held a press briefing on the matter. Nigerian officials have not independently confirmed al-Minuki’s death, though Trump stated the mission was conducted with full coordination between U.S. and Nigerian forces.

Experts note that al-Minuki’s elimination could disrupt ISIL’s administrative and operational capabilities in Africa, where the group has increasingly relied on local leaders to sustain its influence. However, the death of a high-ranking figure rarely leads to the collapse of such networks, and ISIL has repeatedly replaced fallen commanders with little long-term impact on its operations.

The operation follows recent U.S. counterterrorism efforts in Africa, where the military has increased drone strikes and special forces missions targeting ISIL and al-Qaeda affiliates. The Sahel remains a hotspot for violent extremism, with ongoing conflicts in Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali fueling instability and providing fertile ground for militant groups.

The next 48 hours will likely bring additional confirmation from intelligence sources or local reports. Analysts will be watching for any statements from ISIL or its supporters regarding al-Minuki’s death and whether it triggers retaliatory attacks in the region.

What You Need to Know

  • Source: Al Jazeera
  • Published: May 16, 2026 at 06:16 UTC
  • Category: World
  • Topics: #aljazeera · #world-news · #middle-east · #trump · #bilal · #minuki

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Curated by GlobalBR News · May 16, 2026

🇧🇷 Resumo em Português

Em uma operação conjunta entre forças americanas e nigerianas, o segundo homem do Estado Islâmico, Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, foi morto na África. A ação, que ocorreu no norte da Nigéria, marca mais um golpe contra a estrutura do grupo terrorista no continente africano. Autoridades dos EUA e da Nigéria confirmaram a morte do extremista, que havia sido designado como terrorista global pelas Nações Unidas.

A relevância da notícia para o Brasil e os falantes de língua portuguesa está na crescente preocupação com a expansão do Estado Islâmico na África, região cada vez mais estratégica para o grupo. Especialistas alertam que o fortalecimento de células terroristas no continente pode representar riscos não só para a segurança local, mas também para a estabilidade global. Além disso, a participação de forças nigerianas — um país com laços históricos e econômicos com o Brasil — reforça a importância do tema para a comunidade lusófona.

O próximo passo deve ser monitorar como a morte de al-Minuki impactará a estrutura do Estado Islâmico na África e se haverá uma escalada de retaliações por parte dos remanescentes do grupo.

🇪🇸 Resumen en Español

El segundo al mando del Estado Islámico, Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, ha sido abatido en una operación conjunta entre fuerzas estadounidenses y nigerianas, un golpe estratégico contra la cúpula de la organización yihadista. La noticia, confirmada por fuentes militares, subraya la creciente colaboración antiterrorista en el Sahel, donde grupos afines al ISIS mantienen una presencia amenazante.

La eliminación de al-Minuki —designado como terrorista global por Washington— llega en un momento crítico para la seguridad regional, tras meses de ofensiva contra células dormidas en el norte de Nigeria y los países limítrofes. Para los hispanohablantes, el suceso recuerda la importancia de la cooperación internacional en la lucha antiterrorista, especialmente en zonas donde el extremismo resurge con nuevas tácticas. Además, refleja cómo los conflictos en África impactan indirectamente en Europa, donde los lazos con países como España hacen prioritaria la estabilidad en el Sahel.