The United States government has reaffirmed that dismantling ISIL, al-Qa’ida, and their associated networks is a primary objective of its international counterterrorism agenda. Ambassador Tammy Bruce, the U.S. Deputy Representative to the United Nations, addressed the UN Security Council, highlighting that these extremist organizations are actively leveraging regional instability throughout Africa and Asia to expand their influence.
During her briefing, Ambassador Bruce referenced the new U.S. National Counterterrorism Strategy released in May, which identifies three main threat vectors: legacy Islamist extremists, transnational criminal gangs, and violent left-wing groups. She pointed to specific developments, such as al-Qa’ida’s recent progress in the Sahel and ISIL’s increased focus on African territories, as evidence that these groups remain resilient. The ambassador called for deeper intelligence integration among nations to counteract both jihadist movements and entities supported by Iran, such as the Houthis and Hamas.
Furthermore, Bruce emphasized that traditional policy designations are not enough to curb these risks. She noted that groups are increasingly utilizing advanced technology, including artificial intelligence, drones, and digital currencies, to facilitate their activities. Member states and private industry partners must enhance oversight to prevent these groups from accessing dangerous weaponry and funding networks.
The U.S. envoy also highlighted successful partnerships, such as those in Iraq, Syria, and Somalia, while commending Iraq for its efforts in repatriating displaced persons from northeast Syria. Looking back at recent operational cooperation, the U.S. and Nigeria have engaged in high-level security collaboration since late 2025. Significant military actions, including precision missile strikes against Islamic State camps in Sokoto and operations in the Lake Chad Basin, have resulted in the neutralization of key leadership figures like Abu-Bilal al-Minuki and Abubakar Mainok. While U.S. forces briefly deployed for advisory roles in Nigeria in 2026, the current strategy emphasizes intelligence-led support to empower local forces.
