Nigerian authorities on Wednesday said a joint military operation carried out with support from the United States killed at least 175 suspected ISIL fighters in the country’s troubled northeast region.
Nigeria says joint US strikes kill 175 ISIL fighters in northeast
According to the Nigerian Army, the operation targeted militant hideouts in remote areas of Borno State, where armed groups linked to ISIL and Boko Haram have maintained a long-running insurgency for more than a decade. Military officials stated that the strikes were followed by ground raids aimed at clearing remaining pockets of resistance.
In a statement, the army described the operation as part of an ongoing campaign to “hunt down and eliminate terrorists wherever they are hiding,” adding that intelligence-sharing and surveillance assistance from the United States played a key role in the mission’s success.
Security officials said several militant camps, weapons depots, and vehicles were destroyed during the coordinated assault. Authorities also claimed that multiple senior commanders were among those killed, though independent verification of the figures has not yet been possible.
Residents in parts of northeastern Nigeria reported hearing heavy explosions and fighter aircraft activity late Tuesday night into Wednesday morning. Some local sources said militants attempted to flee the targeted areas before security forces launched follow-up ground operations.
The US government has not yet released detailed information regarding its role in the strikes. However, Washington has previously supported Nigerian counterterrorism efforts through intelligence cooperation, military training, and surveillance assistance as part of broader regional security initiatives in West Africa.
Nigeria has faced persistent attacks from armed groups operating around the Lake Chad Basin, with violence displacing millions of civilians and causing a major humanitarian crisis across the region. Despite repeated military offensives, insurgent factions continue to stage attacks on villages, military installations, and aid convoys.
Analysts say the latest joint operation reflects growing international cooperation against extremist groups in Africa, particularly as concerns rise over expanding militant networks across the Sahel and neighboring regions.
The Nigerian military vowed to continue intensified operations in the northeast, stating that security forces remain committed to restoring stability and preventing militants from regrouping.
