US Scales Back Troops in Nigeria After Joint Operation Kills Senior ISIS Leader

The United States has withdrawn most of the military personnel it sent to Nigeria for a joint counterterrorism operation after the mission helped kill one of the Islamic State group’s most senior global leaders.The commander of U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), Gen. Dagvin R.M. Anderson, said on July 3 that the remaining U.S. role is focused on intelligence sharing requested by the Nigerian government.Speaking during a State Department Africa Regional Media Hub briefing from Luanda, Angola, Anderson said the approach reflects Washington’s goal of supporting African-led security operations rather than maintaining a large military presence.“We have withdrawn much of our forces that were just there for that operation, but are continuing the partnership that Nigeria has asked for to help continue with the intelligence sharing,” Anderson said.He added that “only bringing unique U.S. capabilities” allows Nigerian forces to remain in the lead while pursuing terrorist targets.The operation followed a joint U.S.–Nigerian military campaign in northeastern Nigeria in May that killed Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, whom U.S. officials identified as the second-in-command of ISIS worldwide.According to Anderson, the operation targeted a leader responsible for the group’s global operations, propaganda, and recruitment, dealing what he described as a significant blow to the organization’s international network.US–Nigeria PartnershipAnderson said the operation demonstrates how the United States intends to work with African partners by providing specialized capabilities rather than conducting independent military campaigns.He said Nigerian forces remain responsible for continuing operations against ISIS fighters following the May mission.“And then we have withdrawn much of our forces that were just there for that operation,” Anderson said.“But are continuing the partnership that Nigeria has asked for to help continue with the intelligence sharing and the understanding that’s necessary.”He added that removing senior leaders weakens communications across ISIS affiliates operating in different regions.“That operation in the Lake Chad Basin of Nigeria not only helped the countries in that immediate region, it also helps countries globally, as that disrupts the ISIS network,” Anderson said.ISIS leader Abu-Bilal al-Minuki was killed in the operation in Northeastern Nigeria on May 15, 2026. U.S. Africa Command/XAnderson said Nigerian security forces have continued operations independently since the May strike, targeting additional ISIS members in north-eastern Nigeria.He said military pressure has been accompanied by an increase in defections from ISIS, suggesting that sustained operations are weakening the organization.“As they have talked about this in the information space … they have allowed or had more defections or surrenders of ISIS followers in that northeastern area of Nigeria,” he said.President Donald Trump has previously linked U.S. counterterrorism efforts in Nigeria to attacks on Christians. In a November 2025 Truth Social post, he said Christianity in Nigeria faced “an existential threat” from terrorist attacks.The following month, he said he had ordered a “powerful and deadly strike” against ISIS targets in northwestern Nigeria, adding that the militants had been killing Christians “at levels not seen for many years, and even Centuries.”A Pentagon spokesperson said the strikes were approved by the Nigerian government.African-Led SecurityThroughout the briefing, Anderson repeatedly said African governments must remain responsible for solving the continent’s security challengesA broader intelligence picture allows African militaries to target organizations more effectively, he said, while keeping operational control in local hands. He said Nigeria illustrates that approach because its military conducted the campaign with U.S. support instead of relying on American combat forces.Nigerian soldiers prepare to patrol during the visit of Nigeria’s Chief of Defense Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, to the Headquarters Theatre Command Joint Task Force in Maiduguri on March 18, 2026. Audu marte/AFP via Getty ImagesThe general also rejected suggestions that Washington seeks to dominate African security policy through military partnerships.“Our global intelligence can help inform and help local forces address the affiliate of ISIS or Daesh that’s there locally,” Anderson said. “But ultimately it’s going to have to be working with the partners.”Speaking after the 2026 African Chiefs of Defense Conference in Luanda, Anderson said the gathering focused on the link between security, investment, and economic growth.The conference brought together military leaders from 35 African countries, along with representatives from the United States and Brazil, to discuss terrorism, organized crime, maritime security, emerging technologies, and regional cooperation.