The United States has reaffirmed that combating ISIL, al-Qaida and their affiliates remains a central priority of its counter-terrorism strategy, warning that the groups are exploiting instability in Africa and Asia to expand their operations.
Speaking at a United Nations Security Council briefing, US Deputy Representative to the UN, Ambassador Tammy Bruce, said Washington would maintain pressure on the groups as they seek to establish or strengthen their presence in new theatres.
Bruce said the US had released its new National Counterterrorism Strategy on 6 May, identifying three priority threats: narco-terrorists and transnational gangs, legacy Islamist terrorist groups, and violent left-wing extremists.
“Countering ISIL, al-Qaida, and their affiliates remains a key priority,” she said, citing al-Qaida’s gains in the Sahel, ISIL’s growing focus on Africa and the continuing threat posed by ISIL-K in Afghanistan.
The UN has similarly warned that ISIL has strengthened its footprint in several parts of Africa, including through affiliates operating in West Africa and the Lake Chad Basin.
Bruce called for greater intelligence cooperation among UN member states, arguing that improved information sharing was necessary to counter terrorist organisations, Iran-backed groups and other emerging threats.
She said Iran and groups aligned with it, including the Houthis, Hizballah, Hamas and Iran-aligned militias in Iraq, continued to contribute to instability in the Middle East and seek to extend their reach.
“Expanded information sharing is vital to prevent them from acquiring critical weapons and to constrain their actions,” she said.
The US envoy also called for stronger intelligence cooperation against emerging extremist threats, saying governments needed to share information about the tactics, networks and financing behind violent groups.
She highlighted the growing use of satellite communications, artificial intelligence, drones and cryptocurrencies by terrorist organisations, saying the development required greater vigilance from governments and the private sector.
The UN has also identified the use of artificial intelligence, virtual assets and unmanned aircraft systems as part of the evolving technological capabilities being exploited by terrorist groups.
Bruce commended countries whose military and financial operations had constrained ISIL and al-Qaida in Iraq, Syria and Somalia.
She also praised Iraq for its role in repatriating people detained or displaced in north-eastern Syria and urged other countries to take similar steps, prosecute nationals linked to ISIL where appropriate and prevent returning foreign terrorist fighters from escaping detection.
The US diplomat further called for international action to disrupt the production and movement of synthetic drugs, tackle transnational organised crime and prevent terrorist travel.
With the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks approaching, Bruce said the UN and its member states needed to refocus their counter-terrorism efforts on practical priorities capable of producing measurable results.
US-Nigeria security cooperation
The renewed US emphasis on countering ISIL and its affiliates comes as security cooperation between Washington and Abuja has reportedly expanded from dialogue and intelligence exchanges to more direct operational support.
The cooperation has focused on intelligence sharing, military assistance and support for Nigerian counter-terrorism operations against insurgent groups operating in the north-west and north-east.
According to the information provided, US Tomahawk missile strikes were carried out in Sokoto State on Christmas Day 2025 against camps linked to Islamic State Sahel Province. Nigerian authorities reportedly described the operation as a precision strike based on intelligence and operational planning, with estimates of between 155 and more than 200 fighters killed.
A further joint operation in the Lake Chad Basin in May 2026 reportedly killed Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, described in the supplied account as the global ISIS second-in-command, alongside about 175 fighters.
Another operation was reported to have killed more than 20 terrorists in north-eastern Nigeria, including ISWAP commander Abubakar Mainok.
The United States also reportedly deployed up to 200 personnel to Nigeria in February 2026 to train and advise Nigerian forces rather than participate directly in combat operations.
Most of the personnel were subsequently withdrawn following the May operation, with Washington reverting to intelligence support at Nigeria’s request.
The reported developments underline the growing importance of Nigeria in the international campaign against ISIL affiliates in West Africa. The UN identifies the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) as one of the principal ISIL affiliates operating in Nigeria and the wider Lake Chad Basin.
The US position also reflects a broader international concern over the ability of terrorist groups to adapt to counter-terrorism pressure, exploit weak security environments and use emerging technologies to facilitate recruitment, financing, communication and attacks.
