Prominent Islamic scholar Ahmad Gumi has weighed in on the joint operation by American and Nigerian forces that resulted in the death of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, the worldwide deputy leader of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). In a Saturday Facebook post, Gumi described the fight against terrorism as a religious duty, but he sharply criticized those involved if their hands are tainted with the blood of innocent civilians.
“It is a religious obligation to eliminate terrorists, but not by partnering with the devil or with hands that have spilled the blood of innocent men, women, and children,” Gumi wrote. His comments come after former U.S. President Donald Trump announced the successful mission, which he said significantly weakened ISIS’s global reach and its influence in Africa.
Trump, in a statement on his Truth Social platform, praised the Nigerian government and military for their collaboration. He said the operation was the result of meticulous intelligence and strategic coordination aimed at disrupting al-Minuki’s activities. According to Trump, al-Minuki was one of the most active ISIS figures, orchestrating attacks and supporting terrorist operations against Americans and African communities.
The cleric’s reaction highlights the moral complexities of fighting extremism—supporting the aim of eradicating terrorism while questioning the methods and partners involved.