2026 United States strikes in Nigeria
2026 joint military operations in Nigeria
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On 16 May 2026, the United States and Nigeria began a joint military operation against the Islamic State's West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Boko Haram in northeastern Nigeria. The operation included special forces raids and multiple rounds of airstrikes. During the initial operation, ISWAP senior leader Abu-Bilal al-Minuki was killed alongside several other senior commanders. By 19 May, Nigerian authorities stated that 175 ISWAP and Boko Haram militants had been killed since the beginning of the joint offensive.[1][2][3]
| Killing of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of Boko Haram insurgency | |||||||
Map of Borno State in Nigeria | |||||||
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
 United States Nigeria |
  Boko Haram (Daular Musulunci) | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
|
Donald Trump Bola Tinubu | |||||||
| Units involved | |||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| Two dozen | Three dozen | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| None |
~175 killed (as of 19 May 2026) | ||||||
Background
The Nigerian government has been combating militant groups for over a decade, including Boko Haram and its Islamic State-linked splinter groups.[4] Jihadist groups in Nigeria's northeast, the center of the insurgency, killed tens of thousands and has displaced millions of Nigerians since 2016.[5] In December 2025, the United States became more involved in the Nigerian conflict, launching airstrikes in northwest Nigeria against armed groups.[6]
As of 2022, International Crisis Group researchers estimated that 800,000–3 million civilians live under ISWAP's rule.[7][8] ISWAP maintains more control over large areas in the countryside than the Nigerian government.[9]
Abu-Bilal al-Minuki
Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, was born in 1982 in Mainok, Benisheikh, Borno State, Nigeria.[10] Previously serving as a senior Boko Haram officer, he had been part of the Islamic State after pledging allegiance in 2015.[3] He had reportedly clashed with Abubakar Shekau over the Islamic State's demand for foreign fighters in Libya, where he may have been a foreign fighter.[11] In June 2023, he was designated as Specially Designated Global Terrorist by the Office of Foreign Asset Control. Additionally, he was linked to the Dapchi schoolgirls kidnapping.[3] In April 2024, he was incorrectly listed as one of the senior Islamic State commanders killed by Nigerian military.[12][3] al-Minuki had risen in importance after the killing of former ISWAP chief Mamman Nur in 2018, and had recently taken up the role of General Directorate of States around February 2026 according to Nigerian Intelligence.[11]
Operations
Killing of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki
The operation began at appromixately 12:01am[13] as two dozen operators arriving by helicopter, including Seal Team 6 began fighting with militants on two small islands in the Lake Chad Basin with the intent to capture al-Minuki.[2] After a three-hour firefight, a surrender seemed unlikely. Rather than risking a potential escape, an airstrike was launched on his compound, killing al-Minuki. The operation also resulted in the deaths of several other ISWAP figures, including Abd-al Wahhab, a senior leader involved in coordinating attacks and spreading propaganda; Abu Musa al-Mangawi, a senior member of the group; and Abu al-Muthanna al-Muhajir, who managed ISWAP's media production operations and was considered a close associate of al-Minuki.[2][14]
Further operations
On 17 May 2026, the United States and Nigeria carried airstrikes on ISWAP targets in the North East region. No United States or Nigerian forces were harmed in the offensive, however at least 20 militants were killed.[15]
On 18 May 2026, the United States and Nigeria launched their third round of airstrikes.[16][17] On the same day, the Nigerian Defence Headquarters confirmed that around 175 ISWAP and Boko Haram militants have been killed since the joint operations began.[1]