US Withdraws Most Troops From Nigeria After Joint Anti-ISIS Operation

The United States has withdrawn most of the troops it deployed to Nigeria for a recent operation against Islamic State (ISIS) militants, with the partnership now focused on intelligence sharing, according to the head of U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM).

AFRICOM Commander General Dagvin Anderson said the move follows a successful joint operation carried out by U.S. and Nigerian forces in May, which killed Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, identified as ISIS’ second-in-command globally.

Speaking at a conference of African defence chiefs in Luanda, Angola, Anderson said the operation demonstrated an effective model for future security cooperation, with the U.S. providing specialised support while Nigerian forces led the mission.

He noted that although most American troops have since left Nigeria, the U.S. continues to provide intelligence support at the request of the Nigerian government.

According to Anderson, the operation significantly weakened ISIS’ leadership and disrupted the group’s wider communications and operations. He added that Nigerian forces have continued targeting militants since the mission, leading to more defections and surrenders among ISIS fighters in the country’s northeast.

The remarks were made during a three-day defence conference in Angola attended by military leaders from 35 African countries, as well as representatives from the United States and Brazil.