Trump says Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, second in command of ISIS globally, killed in US-Nigerian operation

close Video Trump announces arrest of top terrorist responsible for 13 deaths in Afghanistan withdrawal President Donald Trump announces the top ISIS terrorist member responsible for killing 13 American troops during the Afghanistan withdrawal is in U.S. custody. NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Hören Sie sich diesen Artikel an 2 Min President Donald Trump announced late Friday that U.S. and Nigerian forces carried out an operation that killed a global ISIS leader. Trump identified the terrorist as Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, whom he described as ISIS’s second-in-command globally. "Tonight, at my direction, brave American forces and the Armed Forces of Nigeria flawlessly executed a meticulously planned and very complex mission to eliminate the most active terrorist in the world from the battlefield," Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social. "Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, second in command of ISIS globally, thought he could hide in Africa, but little did he know we had sources who kept us informed on what he was doing," Trump continued. "He will no longer terrorize the people of Africa, or help plan operations to target Americans." 100 US TROOPS LAND IN Nigeria AS ISLAMIC MILITANTS THREATEN WEST Africa REGIONAL SECURITY President Donald Trump sits at a table monitoring military operations during Operation Epic Fury against Iran at the White House in Washington, D.C., on March 2. (The White House via X Account/Anadolu/Getty Images) Trump also thanked the Nigerian government for its cooperation in the mission. "With his removal, ISIS’s global operation is greatly diminished," he added. Additional details surrounding the mission were not immediately available. Fox News Digital has reached out to the White House for comment. US MILITARY IN Syria CARRIES OUT 10 STRIKES ON MORE THAN 30 ISIS TARGETS: PHOTOS The announcement comes after U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said it carried out multiple strikes against more than 30 ISIS targets in Syria in February as part of a joint military effort to "sustain relentless military pressure on remnants from the terrorist network." CENTCOM said U.S. forces struck ISIS infrastructure and weapons-storage targets using fixed-wing, rotary-wing and unmanned aircraft. DEADLY STRIKE ON US TROOPS TESTS TRUMP’S COUNTER-ISIS PLAN — AND HIS TRUST IN Syria’S NEW LEADER The U.S. military carried out ten strikes against more than 30 ISIS targets in Syria following a December ambush that killed U.S. troops. (CENTCOM) Trump told reporters on Jan. 27 that he had a "great conversation" with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa. "All of the things having to do with Syria in that area are working out very, very well," he said at the time. "So, we are very happy about it." CENTCOM announced in February that more than 50 ISIS terrorists had been killed or captured and more than 100 ISIS infrastructure targets struck during two months of targeted operations in Syria. The U.S. launched Operation Hawkeye Strike in response to an ISIS ambush that killed two U.S. service members and an American interpreter Dec. 13, 2025, in Palmyra, Syria. Fox News Digital's Ashley J. DiMella contributed to this report. Michael Sinkewicz is a writer for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to michael.sinkewicz@fox.com Fox News' Antisemitism Exposed" newsletter brings you stories on the rising anti-Jewish prejudice across the U.S. and the world." By entering your email and clicking the Subscribe button, you agree to the Fox News and Terms of Use, and agree to receive content and promotional communications from Fox News. You understand that you can opt-out at any time. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter!