Joint Nigeria–US operation hits militant positions in Metele area
The United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) has released footage of airstrikes carried out against Islamic State militants in northeast Nigeria.
The command confirmed the operation in a statement posted on its website on Monday.
AFRICOM said it carried out the strikes on May 17 in coordination with the Nigerian government after intelligence identified ISIS fighters in the target area.
Intelligence guided precision strikes
According to AFRICOM, intelligence confirmed that the targeted individuals belonged to ISIS networks operating in northeastern Nigeria.
The command said it executed “additional kinetic strikes” to disrupt the group’s activities.
Officials added that no Nigerian or US personnel suffered casualties during the operation.
“Complete assessments are ongoing,” the statement said.
Operation aims to weaken ISIS capability
AFRICOM said the mission aimed to reduce the group’s ability to plan and execute attacks.
It explained that the strikes form part of broader efforts to support regional security partners in counterterrorism operations.
“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 stated.
Nigerian military confirms casualties
The Defence Headquarters earlier confirmed the strikes in the Metele area.
It reported that the operation killed more than 20 ISIS and ISWAP fighters.
Military authorities said they acted on intelligence that showed terrorist elements had gathered in the area.
Follow-up to earlier joint operation
The latest airstrikes come days after a separate joint Nigeria–US operation that killed ISIS commander Abu Bilal Al-Minuki.
Both President Bola Tinubu and former US President Donald Trump confirmed the earlier mission.
Trump described Al-Minuki as a top ISIS figure and a major threat to global security.
Security analysts say the recent operations reflect growing cooperation between Nigeria and the United States in counterterrorism efforts.
