The US has withdrawn most of the troops deployed for a recent operation against ISIS militants in Nigeria and is now providing intelligence support at Abuja's request, according to the head of US Africa Command.
US and Nigerian forces carried out joint operations in northeastern Nigeria in May that killed Abu Bilal al-Minuki, whom both governments identified as the second-highest-ranking ISIS leader worldwide.
The operation followed a US strike on Christmas Day ordered by President Donald Trump, who said militants had targeted Christians in the African country.
Speaking at a defense conference in Angola, AFRICOM commander General Dagvin Anderson described the May mission as a model for future security cooperation in Africa.
Anderson said most US troops involved in the operation had been withdrawn, while intelligence-sharing efforts with Nigeria would continue.
He added that the mission in the Lake Chad Basin reflected Washington's strategy of providing specialized capabilities while allowing African partners to lead security operations.
Military leaders from 35 African countries, along with representatives from the US and Brazil, attended the three-day conference in Luanda, Angola's capital.
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