Trump: ISIS 'Number Two' Neutralized in Joint Operation

In a significant counter-terrorism development, President Donald Trump announced the successful operation that neutralized Abu Bilal al-Minoqi, described as the Islamic State's (ISIS) "number two" in global hierarchy. The operation, a joint effort between American and Nigerian forces, was executed with precision, targeting a high-value terrorist believed to be hiding in Africa.

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Tonight at my direction, brave U.S. forces and the Armed Forces of Nigeria perfectly executed a meticulously planned and very complex mission to neutralize the world's number two most wanted terrorist.

President Trump lauded the bravery and meticulous planning of the U.S. forces, emphasizing that al-Minoqi's attempts to evade detection were futile due to robust intelligence gathering. The announcement was made via Trump's social media platform, Truth Social, highlighting the administration's focus on dismantling terrorist networks.

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Abu Bilal al-Minoqi, the second in command of ISIS globally, thought he could hide in Africa, but he didn't know we had sources that kept us informed of what he was doing.

The successful operation underscores the continued commitment of the United States to combating global terrorism. The cooperation with the Nigerian government was crucial, and President Trump expressed his gratitude for their partnership. This action is seen as a major blow to ISIS, disrupting its leadership and operational capabilities. The U.S. has previously conducted strikes against Islamist militant bases in northwestern Nigeria, following concerns raised by President Trump regarding the persecution of Christians in the region, a claim that the Nigerian government has disputed.

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I want to thank the government of Nigeria for their cooperation in this operation.