Fresh Airstrikes Hit ISIS Enclave in Northeast Nigeria

The United States Africa Command and Nigerian forces have launched fresh airstrikes against an ISIS-linked enclave in northeastern Nigeria.

The latest operation came days after ISIS commander Abu-Bilal al-Minuki was killed alongside some of his fighters in an earlier strike on Friday.

AFRICOM confirmed the new offensive in a statement, saying no U.S. or Nigerian personnel were injured during the operation.

Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters also confirmed the strikes, saying more than 20 ISIS and ISWAP fighters were killed.

Military Targets Terrorist Hideouts in Borno

According to the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, the airstrikes targeted terrorist hideouts in the Metele area of northern Borno State.

Metele has remained one of the major flashpoints for insurgent activity in the North-East.

Uba said the operation followed credible intelligence on the movement and gathering of terrorist elements in the area.

Operation Follows Killing of ISIS Commander

The Defence Headquarters said the latest offensive forms part of ongoing counterterrorism operations aimed at weakening insurgent networks in the North-East.

It said the military is working to deny terrorists safe havens and remove key fighters from the battlefield.

“The ongoing operations follow the neutralisation of ISIS commander Abu-Bilal al-Minuki and are part of sustained efforts to disrupt terrorist networks, remove them from the battlefield and deny the terrorists any safe haven within Nigeria,” the statement said.

Military Vows Continued Action

The Armed Forces of Nigeria also reaffirmed their commitment to protecting the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

It warned that terrorist groups threatening communities and national stability would continue to face decisive military action.

“The Armed Forces of Nigeria will continue to aggressively defend the sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of the nation. Terrorists who threaten our citizens, communities and national stability will be located and defeated. There will be no safe haven for terrorists anywhere in Nigeria,” the military added.

The operation follows earlier reports that President Bola Tinubu and U.S. President Donald Trump announced a joint counterterrorism operation that led to the killing of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki.