AFRICOM commander says joint U.S.-Nigerian mission that eliminated ISIS global deputy demonstrates Washington's evolving security strategy of enabling African partners while reducing the U.S. military footprint.
Speaking during a conference of African defense chiefs in Luanda, Angola, Gen. Dagvin Anderson, commander of AFRICOM, said the United States has transitioned from direct operational support to intelligence-sharing at the request of the Nigerian government—a move that reflects Washington's broader strategy of enabling regional partners to lead counterterrorism operations across Africa.
The operation represents one of the most significant recent counterterrorism successes against the Islamic State's African network.
Joint Operation Eliminated Senior ISIS Leader
The May operation, conducted by U.S. and Nigerian military forces in Nigeria's volatile Lake Chad Basin region, resulted in the death of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, identified by AFRICOM as the second-in-command of the Islamic State's global organization.
Military officials believe the strike significantly disrupted ISIS leadership, command-and-control capabilities, and communications extending beyond West Africa.
The operation followed a separate U.S. military strike carried out on Christmas Day under orders from President Donald Trump, who stated that ISIS militants operating in Nigeria had been targeting Christian communities.
Together, the operations underscore Washington's continued willingness to conduct precision counterterrorism missions while avoiding large-scale, long-term troop deployments.
A New Model for U.S.-Africa Security Cooperation
Anderson described the joint mission as a model for future military cooperation between the United States and African partners.
Rather than maintaining large forward-deployed forces, AFRICOM increasingly seeks to provide specialized capabilities—including intelligence, surveillance, planning assistance, logistics, and precision targeting—while allowing host nations to execute combat operations.
Nigeria has been very active since that operation in May, Anderson said. "They continue to prosecute targets themselves."
Military analysts view the approach as consistent with recent Pentagon efforts to strengthen partner capacity while reducing the operational burden on U.S. forces.
The strategy allows African militaries to maintain operational ownership while leveraging American intelligence and technological advantages.
Pressure Continues on ISIS in West Africa
According to Anderson, Nigerian security forces have maintained pressure on ISIS militants since the May operation.
AFRICOM believes sustained military operations have encouraged additional defections and surrenders among extremist fighters operating in northeastern Nigeria.
Officials also credit publicizing the successful strike against ISIS leadership with undermining militant morale and disrupting recruitment efforts.
The Lake Chad Basin remains one of Africa's most active extremist operating environments, where ISIS-West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Boko Haram continue to threaten regional stability despite years of multinational military operations.
Strategic Importance of the Lake Chad Basin
The Lake Chad Basin encompasses portions of Nigeria, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon, making it one of the continent's most strategically significant counterterrorism regions.
Extremist organizations have exploited porous borders, remote terrain, and humanitarian crises to establish safe havens and conduct cross-border attacks.
While regional militaries have achieved notable successes, security officials continue to warn that ISIS affiliates remain capable of conducting complex operations throughout West Africa.
The United States has increasingly focused on supporting intelligence fusion, surveillance, and multinational coordination rather than maintaining large combat formations.
Defense Leaders Meet in Angola
Anderson delivered his remarks during a three-day conference in Luanda attended by military leaders representing 35 African nations, along with defense officials from the United States and Brazil.
The gathering focused on regional security cooperation, counterterrorism, maritime security, transnational crime, and strengthening military partnerships across the African continent.
As geopolitical competition intensifies in Africa—with growing engagement from China, Russia, Turkey, and Gulf nations—Washington continues to emphasize security cooperation built around partner-led operations.
Looking Ahead
The drawdown of U.S. forces from Nigeria does not signal an end to American involvement in regional security.
Defense analysts note that future counterterrorism efforts across Africa will likely continue following this model: limited U.S. military presence, enhanced intelligence support, and greater reliance on capable regional partners to confront evolving extremist threats.
For both Washington and Abuja, the success of the May operation may serve as a blueprint for future efforts to combat ISIS and other transnational terrorist organizations across the continent.
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-- By Leticia Jacobs
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