Terrorism: US vows continuous action against ISIL, al-Qa’ida

… Warns groups exploiting instability in Sahel, Africa, others
By Nkiruka Nnorom

The United States has said that countering ISIL, al-Qa’ida and their affiliates remained a key priority of its counterterrorism efforts, as the groups continue to exploit instability across Africa and Asia.

Speaking at a UN Security Council briefing on Wednesday, U.S Deputy Representative to the UN, Ambassador Tammy Bruce, said the groups were expanding operations in new theatres.

“Since the Council’s last briefing on this issue in February, the United States released its new national Counterterrorism Strategy on May 6, identifying three priority threats: narco-terrorists and transnational gangs, legacy Islamist terrorists, and violent left-wing extremists.

“Countering ISIL, al-Qa’ida, and their affiliates remains a key priority. These groups continue to exploit instability as evidenced by al-Qa’ida’s gains in the Sahel, ISIL’s growing focus on Africa, and the persistent threat from ISIL-K in Afghanistan,” she said in her remarks shared with the press.

The US envoy called for expanded intelligence coordination among member states, saying that information sharing must be strengthened to tackle both jihadist groups and Iran-backed proxies.

“Beyond the jihadist threat, Iran and its proxies and partners, including the Houthis, Hizballah, Hamas, and Iran-aligned militias in Iraq, continue destabilizing the Middle East and seeking broader reach. Expanded information sharing is vital to prevent them from acquiring critical weapons and to constrain their actions,” Bruce said.

She added that the same approach was needed to confront emerging threats, including violent far-left groups recently designated by Washington.

“Designations alone are insufficient. We must strengthen information sharing on the tactics, networks, funding, and malign state actors enabling this violence,” she said.

Bruce also noted the growing use of satellite communications, artificial intelligence, drones and cryptocurrencies by terrorist groups, saying it “demands vigilance from member states and the private sector.”

Bruce commended Member States whose operations and financial disruption efforts have constrained ISIL and al-Qa’ida in Iraq, Syria, and Somalia.

She also recognized Iraq’s leadership in repatriating detained and displaced persons from northeast Syria, and urged other countries to follow suit.

“We encourage efforts to follow suit, prosecute ISIL-affiliated nationals, and prevent returning foreign terrorist fighters from evading detection.

“It is critical that we work together to disrupt the production and movement of synthetic drugs, eradicate transnational organized crime, and combat terrorist travel,” she stated

She stressed that as the 25th anniversary of September 11 approaches, the UN and Member States must “refocus on core, actionable priorities and deliver measurable results” to protect citizens and borders.

Since November 2025, US-Nigeria security cooperation has shifted from dialogue to direct operational action, centered around intelligence sharing, joint strikes, and equipment support.

U.S Tomahawk missile strikes were conducted in Sokoto State on Christmas Day 2025 targeting Islamic State Sahel Province camps. Nigerian authorities described the strikes as precision hits following credible intelligence and careful operational planning. Casualties were put at 155-200+ fighters.

Again, a joint operation in the Lake Chad Basin in May 2026 resulted in the death of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, the second-in-command of ISIS globally, along with 175 fighters.

Another reported joint operation killed more than 20 terrorists in the North-East, including ISWAP commander, Abubakar Mainok.

In February 2026, the U.S. deployed up to 200 troops to train and advise Nigerian forces, not in direct combat. Most of those forces were later withdrawn after the May operation, with the U.S. reverting to intelligence support at Nigeria’s request.

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