Nigeria: US and Nigerian forces conduct joint strikes against ISIS in the northeast

Nigeria and the United States have carried out new military operations against the Islamic State group in the country’s northeast, where a jihadist insurgency has been ongoing for 17 years. In a statement released on Monday, May 18, the U.S. Africa Command (United States Africa Command) confirmed it conducted fresh airstrikes on Sunday, May 17, just 24 hours after eliminating a senior ISIS figure in Nigeria. According to both Nigerian and U.S. officials, the operations are part of an intensified military cooperation aimed at countering jihadist groups in the region.

Precision airstrikes supported by intelligence sharing

Authorities described the mission as “precision air-to-ground operations, carefully planned and extremely complex.” Nigerian officials stressed that no U.S. troops were deployed on the ground, though Washington provided intelligence support. A spokesperson for Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the strikes were based on shared intelligence between both countries. The operations focused on areas around Metele and Dogon Chukwu in northern Borno State, near the borders with Niger and Chad.

High-value ISIS targets killed

Military sources said around 20 Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters were killed, including a senior commander identified as Abu-Bilal al-Minuki and several of his lieutenants. Africom released imagery showing airstrikes targeting groups of motorcycles and buildings believed to be used by militants. However, according to The New York Times, a U.S. special forces unit may also have been involved in the raid targeting al-Minuki’s residence, although this has not been officially confirmed.

Growing US involvement in West Africa

In December last year, U.S. forces, in coordination with Nigerian authorities, also carried out strikes on ISIS elements in Sokoto State on Christmas Day, officially described as support for Christian communities in Nigeria. Security analysts say the recent escalation reflects a growing U.S. strategic interest in the region. The Islamic State West Africa Province is currently considered one of the most active and operationally capable branches of the global jihadist network.