Trump Adviser Reveals Secret U.S.-Nigeria Strike That Killed 199 ISIS Fighters
A secret joint operation involving U.S. and Nigerian forces killed 199 suspected ISIS fighters last month, including a senior terrorist leader, in what President Donald Trump’s top counterterrorism adviser described as one of the most significant counterterrorism missions since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.
Dr. Sebastian Gorka, Senior Director for Counterterrorism at the National Security Council, said President Trump authorized the mission targeting Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, a senior ISIS figure operating in Nigeria.
According to Gorka, the operation not only eliminated al-Minuki but also resulted in the recovery of significant intelligence materials tied to ISIS activity across West Africa, potentially aiding future counterterrorism efforts in the region.
The disclosure provides one of the clearest public insights yet into ongoing U.S. counterterrorism operations in Africa, where ISIS-affiliated groups have expanded their footprint in recent years amid political instability, weak governance, and ongoing regional conflicts.
Officials say these conditions have allowed extremist networks to establish operational bases and recruitment pipelines across multiple countries.
Dr. Sebastian Gorka, Senior Director for Counterterrorism at the National Security Council, said President Trump authorized the mission targeting Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, a senior ISIS figure operating in Nigeria.
According to Gorka, the operation not only eliminated al-Minuki but also resulted in the recovery of significant intelligence materials tied to ISIS activity across West Africa, potentially aiding future counterterrorism efforts in the region.
The disclosure provides one of the clearest public insights yet into ongoing U.S. counterterrorism operations in Africa, where ISIS-affiliated groups have expanded their footprint in recent years amid political instability, weak governance, and ongoing regional conflicts.
Officials say these conditions have allowed extremist networks to establish operational bases and recruitment pipelines across multiple countries.
70-79, M
