Video: U.S., Nigerian forces launch strikes on ISIS targets in Northeast Nigeria
Abdullateef Fowewe
U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) has announced on Monday that it coordinated kinetic strikes with Nigerian forces against Islamic State-affiliated militants in northeastern Nigeria, saying intelligence confirmed the operation and that no U.S. or Nigerian personnel were harmed.
The command in a statement on Monday said the strikes were intended to degrade the militants’ ability to plan and carry out attacks that threaten U.S. and partner security.
It reads, “AFRICOM, in continued coordination with Nigeria, conducted kinetic strikes against ISIS fighters in NE Nigeria on May 17. No U.S. or Nigerian forces were harmed.”
“These actions targeted ISIS fighters and infrastructure to reduce their capacity to conduct future attacks,” AFRICOM added in a press release.
AFRICOM also released aerial footage accompanying the announcement: a black-and-white drone video showing a precision strike on blurred targets in rugged terrain, ending with a large explosion and a rising plume of smoke.
The command said the imagery supports its assessment of the strike’s effect.
U.S. officials described the operation as part of ongoing cooperation with Nigeria to counter extremist groups in the Lake Chad and northeastern regions, where Boko Haram and ISIS-affiliated factions have operated for years. Local and regional authorities have increasingly leaned on partner coordination and strike capabilities to disrupt militants’ planning and logistics.
