US President Donald Trump on Saturday claimed that the second-in-command of the Islamic State (ISIS) terror group has been eliminated during a military operation carried out by American forces in coordination with allied agencies.
In a statement posted on social media, Trump described the operation as a “major victory against terrorism” and said the senior ISIS leader was killed after being tracked for a long period. However, he did not immediately disclose the identity of the militant or provide details about the location and timing of the operation.
According to preliminary reports from US officials, the strike was conducted using precise intelligence inputs and involved close coordination between American military forces and international partners engaged in anti-terror operations in the Middle East. Authorities said the target was believed to be involved in planning and directing several ISIS activities across the region.
Trump praised US troops and intelligence agencies for carrying out the operation successfully, stating that America would continue to take strong action against extremist organisations threatening global security. He also said the elimination of the senior ISIS figure would weaken the terror group’s operational capabilities.
Security analysts believe the death of a top ISIS commander could significantly impact the organisation’s leadership structure, especially at a time when the group has been trying to regroup in parts of Syria and Iraq after suffering heavy setbacks in recent years.
Officials indicated that further details about the operation may be released after intelligence assessments and confirmation procedures are completed. The US Department of Defense and other agencies have not yet issued a detailed public briefing on the matter.
ISIS, once one of the world’s most feared terror organisations, lost most of its territorial control in Iraq and Syria following years of military operations led by international coalitions. However, the group continues to carry out sporadic attacks and maintains sleeper cells in several regions.
Trump’s announcement comes amid renewed global concerns over extremist activity and ongoing counterterrorism operations across the Middle East and parts of Africa.
