The Digest:
The United States Africa Command has released footage of air strikes conducted on May 17 against Islamic State militants in North-East Nigeria. AFRICOM said the operation was carried out in coordination with the Nigerian government, with intelligence confirming the targets were ISIS militants. The Defence Headquarters earlier confirmed that more than 20 ISIS/ISWAP fighters were killed in the strikes in the Metele area of Borno State. No U.S. or Nigerian forces were harmed. The operation follows the recent killing of ISIS commander Abu-Bilal al-Minuki.
Key Points:
- The video release serves as proof of the successful joint operation against ISIS.
- More than 20 fighters eliminated, degrading ISIS/ISWAP's operational capacity in the North-East.
- No casualties on the security forces' side indicate precise intelligence and execution.
- The strikes continue the pressure on terrorist enclaves following al-Minuki’s death.
- AFRICOM stated the operation weakens ISIS’s ability to plan attacks on the US and allies
Sources: The PUNCH, AFRICOM, Defence Headquarters
