Nigerian military claims to have killed over 20 ISIS militants in cooperation with U.S. forces

Xinhua News Agency, Abuja, May 18 (Reporter Hong Zehua) - The Nigerian military stated on the 18th that the Nigerian Armed Forces, in coordination with the U.S. military, conducted multiple airstrikes in Borno State in northeastern Nigeria on the 17th, killing over 20 militants from the extremist organization "Islamic State."

Nigerian military spokesman Samaila Uba said in a statement on the 18th that this operation was launched after the killing of the Islamic State's second-in-command, Abu-Bilal Minuki. After monitoring the gathering and movement of the militants, the Nigerian and U.S. forces carried out multiple airstrikes on their hiding places and routes of movement.

Uba stated that the joint operations against the Islamic State militants by Nigeria and the U.S. are ongoing, and the Nigerian Armed Forces will continue to combat the terrorist organization's network.

The U.S. Africa Command issued a statement on its official website on the 18th, stating that U.S. forces conducted multiple military strikes in northeastern Nigeria, targeting Islamic State militants, with no casualties among U.S. or Nigerian Armed Forces personnel during the operations.

The statement also noted that this operation has weakened the Islamic State's ability to threaten the security of the United States and its allies.