The United States has disclosed that a counterterrorism raid in Nigeria killed 199 jihadists and resulted in the seizure of the largest cache of Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) electronic intelligence since the September 11, 2001 attacks. Washington officials described the operation as one of their most significant victories against the extremist group in decades.
The volume of devices and intelligence materials recovered was so substantial that an additional aircraft had to be deployed to transport everything. Analysts are now working through the haul to understand how ISIS communicates, recruits, finances operations and coordinates attacks across different regions, particularly in Africa.
Sebastian Gorka, United States Deputy Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Counterterrorism at the National Security Council, revealed the details during an interview with Marissa Streit, Chief Executive Officer of PragerU, a conservative American media organisation. Gorka said he watched the entire raid unfold live from the White House Situation Room.
He described the experience as akin to a Hollywood action thriller. The operation resulted in the deaths of 199 jihadists in a single strike, the highest number of terrorists eliminated in one counterterrorism mission since September 11, he noted.
"I can talk about this because it has been declassified," Gorka told Streit. He added: "Three weeks ago in Nigeria, I watched it live from the Situation Room.
It was like being in a Tom Clancy movie, but it was better because it was real."
According to Gorka, the mission demonstrated Washington's renewed commitment to pursuing terrorist groups wherever they operate. The White House official stressed that the President isn't promoting American interventionism globally, but has a firm response for those threatening Americans or targeting Christians.
"I watched our operatives kill 199 jihadists in one operation," Gorka said. "That is the biggest enemy neutralisation since September 11.
These are 199 jihadists who will never harm Americans again."
However, Gorka suggested the intelligence recovered might ultimately prove even more valuable than the casualties inflicted. American forces needed an extra plane just to transport all the electronic materials seized from the camps, he explained.
"The haul was three times bigger than any enemy electronics haul since 9/11," Gorka noted. "That is priceless because now our experts are taking apart all of that information, looking at how ISIS is communicating with each other."
He added: "We are so back in the game of counterterrorism. It is just superlative to watch our professionals."
Intelligence agencies are now examining the devices to dismantle ISIS communication networks, identify operatives and prevent future attacks against the United States and allied nations. Experts are studying the materials to expose recruitment methods, financial flows and operational coordination across regions.
