01:39A major counterterror operation is making headlines across the world tonight after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that one
01:47of ISIS's top global leaders has been killed in Africa.
01:51According to Trump, American forces working alongside the armed forces of Nigeria carried out what he called a meticulously planned
02:00and very complex mission to eliminate Abu Bilal al-Mannouki.
02:06And Trump did not hold back in his message.
02:09He claimed the ISIS commander thought he could hide in Africa, but said U.S. intelligence sources had been closely
02:15tracking his movements for months.
02:17Now, here's why this matters.
02:20Abu Bilal al-Mannouki was not just another ISIS operative.
02:24The U.S. had already designated him a global terrorist back in 2023 because of his alleged role inside ISIS's
02:33international command structure.
02:35According to the U.S. State Department, al-Mannouki was linked to ISIS's General Directorate of Provinces.
02:42That is the branch responsible for coordinating funding, guidance, and operations across multiple regions around the world.
02:49In simple terms, investigators believed he helped ISIS maintain and expand its global terror network far beyond the Middle East.
02:59Trump described him as the second-in-command of ISIS globally and claimed his removal would significantly weaken the terror
03:07group's international operations.
03:09But there are still many unanswered questions.
03:12Trump did not reveal exactly where the operation happened.
03:16He also refused to clarify whether the strike involved American air power, drones, or ground forces.
03:23What we do know is that Nigeria has become one of the biggest battlegrounds against Islamist militancy in Africa.
03:31The country has been fighting both Boko Haram and ISIS-linked groups for years, especially in regions near the Sahel.
03:38And pressure on Nigeria intensified in recent months after Washington accused the government of not doing enough to contain the
03:46growing extremists' threat.
03:48Back in late 2025, the United States had already joined Nigerian authorities in carrying out airstrikes against ISIS fighters operating
03:57near Sokoto State.
03:58Soon after that operation, hundreds of U.S. troops were reportedly deployed to Nigeria to support training and intelligence missions.
04:07Now, this latest announcement appears to mark the biggest joint success yet between Washington and Abuja in the fight against
04:15ISIS in West Africa.
04:17But analysts say eliminating one leader does not automatically destroy the network.
04:23ISIS affiliates across the Sahel region still remain highly active and continue to recruit fighters, launch attacks, and destabilize parts
04:32of Africa.
04:32That means security concerns are far from over.
04:36Still, tonight, the White House is projecting this operation as a major victory in America's global war against terrorism.
04:44And Donald Trump is making one thing very clear.
04:47The United States intends to keep targeting ISIS leadership wherever they try to hide.
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