Video posted by the U.S. African Command on social media on May 18, 2026, shows an explosion after strikes on Islamic State militants in Nigeria. Picture: Screenshot from video posted on X/@USAfricaCommand
Nigeria and the United States have carried out fresh strikes against Islamic State jihadists in northeast Nigeria, the U.S. military said on Monday (May 18, 2026).
The strikes were conducted on Sunday (May 17, 2026), “Intelligence confirmed the targets were Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) militants. Complete assessments are ongoing. No U.S. or Nigerian forces were harmed,” U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) said in a statement.
The new strikes came two days after the United States and Nigeria announced that a joint operation in the west African country killed Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, an Islamic State (IS) leader described as the group’s second-in-command worldwide who has been under U.S. sanctions since 2023.
Northern Nigeria has faced the double threat of attacks from jihadist groups allied to IS and from criminal gangs that stalk villages and carry out mass kidnappings.
The insecurity had drawn criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump who said Nigeria’s Christians were being persecuted. The Nigerian government has rejected the claim, insisting that Christians and Muslims were equally the victims of the violence.
Published – May 18, 2026 05:06 pm IST
