U.S. and Nigerian forces kill senior ISIS operative Abu Bilal al-Minuki

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Friday that Abu Bilal al-Minuki, identified as the second-in-command of ISIS globally, was killed during a joint military operation. The mission was executed by combined U.S. and Nigerian military forces. According to the President, the operation was carefully planned and successfully carried out following intelligence gathered on al-Minuki's movements in Africa. Trump stated that the individual was the most active terrorist in the world and that his death marks a significant blow to the organization's international operations. The President emphasized that al-Minuki will no longer pose a threat to people in Africa or plan attacks against Americans. Trump also expressed gratitude to the Nigerian government for their cooperation in this mission. Previously, the U.S. had targeted militant bases in northwestern Nigeria during the prior Christmas season following claims regarding the persecution of Christians in the region, which the Nigerian government had officially denied.