US President Donald Trump on Friday announced that American and Nigerian forces had killed Abu Bilal al-Minuki, whom he described as the global second-in-command of the Islamic State group (ISIS), during a joint military operation in Africa.

According to Trump, the operation was conducted under his direction and involved US forces working alongside the Armed Forces of Nigeria in what he called a “meticulously planned” and “very complex” mission.

In a statement posted on Truth Social, Trump said Abu Bilal al-Minuki believed he could remain hidden in Africa, but intelligence sources had tracked his movements. He also claimed the ISIS leader had been among the “most active terrorists in the world.”

Trump thanked the Nigerian government for cooperating in the operation and said the killing would weaken ISIS’s global activities. However, officials did not immediately release details about the exact location or timing of the mission.

There has been no independent confirmation yet from Nigerian authorities regarding the operation or al-Minuki’s role within the terror organisation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in the Netherlands on Friday as part of his ongoing five-nation diplomatic visit aimed at strengthening India’s partnerships across Europe and West Asia.

The Prime Minister is expected to hold bilateral discussions with Dutch Leadership in The Hague, with talks likely to focus on trade, investment, technology, defence cooperation and renewable energy.

During the visit, PM Modi will also meet King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands. He is additionally scheduled to interact with members of the Indian community and Dutch business leaders.

The Netherlands visit follows PM Modi’s brief stop in the United Arab Emirates, where discussions were held on energy and strategic cooperation.

According to officials, India and the Netherlands have expanded cooperation in recent years beyond traditional sectors such as agriculture, water management and healthcare. Collaboration has increasingly grown in areas including semiconductors, innovation, maritime security, renewable energy and advanced technologies.

The Netherlands remains one of India’s major trade partners in Europe. Bilateral trade between the two countries was valued at around USD 27.8 billion in 2024-25, while the Netherlands is also among the top foreign investors in India.

PM Modi’s Europe tour also includes visits to Sweden, Norway and Italy as India seeks to strengthen economic and strategic engagement with European nations.

Donald Trump, Iran strikes, US Iran tensions, Epic Fury 2.0, Trump China visit, Strait of Hormuz, Iran nuclear issue, US foreign policy, Xi Jinping, Middle East tensions

US President Donald Trump has returned from his China visit amid reports claiming his administration could be preparing a new phase of military action against Iran, described in some reports as “Epic Fury 2.0”.

The development comes as tensions between Washington and Tehran continue over Iran’s nuclear programme and the security situation around the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil shipping route. During his Beijing visit, Trump said both the United States and China agreed that Iran should not possess nuclear weapons and that the Strait of Hormuz must remain open.

According to reports, the Trump administration has shown increasing frustration with stalled negotiations involving Iran. Trump recently said he was “losing patience” with Tehran while also hinting at possible further military action if a deal is not reached.

The phrase “Epic Fury 2.0” appears linked to the earlier “Operation Epic Fury”, a large-scale US military campaign launched earlier this year targeting Iranian military infrastructure. US officials previously claimed the operation significantly weakened Iran’s defence capabilities.

Trump’s China visit itself was dominated by discussions around the Iran conflict, trade issues and regional stability. Reports said the US President sought support from Chinese President Xi Jinping on preventing escalation in the Middle East and ensuring free movement through the Strait of Hormuz.

However, no official announcement has yet been made by the White House regarding any fresh military operation against Iran. The reports have emerged amid continuing uncertainty over diplomacy and ceasefire efforts in the region.