United States Africa Command has confirmed fresh coordinated airstrikes targeting ISIS fighters in Nigeria’s North-East region as part of ongoing joint counterterrorism operations with Nigerian forces.
In a statement released on Monday, May 18, via its official X account, AFRICOM said U.S. and Nigerian forces carried out additional strikes against ISIS targets on May 17, 2026. “On May 17, 2026, U.S. Africa Command, in coordination with the Government of Nigeria, conducted additional kinetic strikes against ISIS in Northeastern Nigeria,” the command stated.
AFRICOM said intelligence assessments confirmed that the targets were ISIS militants and disclosed that further evaluations of the operation were still ongoing. “Intelligence confirmed the targets were ISIS militants. Complete assessments are ongoing. No U.S. or Nigerian forces were harmed,” the statement added.
According to AFRICOM, the operation was intended to weaken the terrorist group’s operational capabilities and reduce threats posed to allied nations. “The removal of these terrorists diminishes the group’s capacity to plan attacks that threaten the safety and security of the U.S. and our partners,” the command said.
Earlier on Monday, Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters announced that coordinated Nigeria-U.S. offensives in the Matele axis of the North-East neutralised 20 additional ISIS fighters during sustained military operations against the extremist group.
The latest operation follows a joint Nigerian-U.S. mission reportedly carried out on Friday, May 15, during which senior ISIS commander Abu Bilal al-Minuki was said to have been killed.
Al-Minuki had reportedly been listed among the world’s most wanted terrorists. AFRICOM reiterated its commitment to supporting partner countries through specialised military assistance aimed at countering terrorism and dismantling extremist networks across the African continent.
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