US Africa Command (AFRICOM) announced that most American troops deployed for a recent operation against Islamic State militants in Nigeria have withdrawn. AFRICOM Commander General Dagvin Anderson confirmed the temporary deployment achieved its primary objectives following a significant joint operation in May. This mission, which followed a US strike ordered by President Donald Trump on Christmas Day, resulted in the death of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, identified as the Islamic State group's second-highest-ranking leader globally. While forces have withdrawn, Washington will maintain its partnership with Abuja through continued intelligence sharing. The operation in the Lake Chad Basin successfully weakened ISIS leadership and disrupted its international communication networks. General Anderson noted that Nigerian forces have remained highly active since May, successfully prosecuting targets independently and encouraging defections and surrenders among militants in northeastern Nigeria through sustained military pressure.