What You Need to Know
The United States has launched airstrikes against ISIS militants in northwestern Nigeria, following President Trump’s warnings about threats to Christians. The strikes, coordinated with the Nigerian government, resulted in multiple ISIS casualties.
Africa. The United States has launched airstrikes against ISIS militants in northwestern Nigeria.
President Donald Trump announced the airstrike in a post on Truth Social, stating, “Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against the scum of ISIS terrorists in northwestern Nigeria who are brutally targeting and killing, primarily, innocent Christians, at levels we have not seen in many years, indeed centuries!”
The U.S. Africa Command stated on X that the strike resulted in the deaths of several ISIS members in Sokoto State.
The Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the United States conducted airstrikes against targets in Nigeria. In a statement released early Friday, it said, “Nigerian authorities continue to engage in organized security cooperation with international partners, including the United States, to address the ongoing threat of terrorism and violent extremism.” The statement added that this led to “precise airstrikes targeting terrorist objectives in northwestern Nigeria.”
This strike follows Trump’s warnings in late October that Christianity faces an “existential threat” in Nigeria, threatening military intervention due to what he described as the country’s failure to stop violence targeting Christian areas.
Reuters reported last Monday that the United States has been conducting reconnaissance flights over large areas of Nigeria since late November.
The Nigerian government states that armed groups target both Muslims and Christians, and claims that the U.S. allegations of Christian persecution do not reflect a complex security situation, while also ignoring efforts to protect religious freedom. Nevertheless, Nigeria has agreed to cooperate with the U.S. to support its forces against armed groups.
The country’s population is divided between Muslims primarily in the north and Christians in the south.
A Pentagon official stated, “The department worked with the Nigerian government to carry out these strikes, which were approved by the Nigerian government.” U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth expressed gratitude to the Nigerian government for its support and cooperation, adding, “More will come later…”
He further stated, “We are always ready, and ISIS in Nigeria knows that tonight. The killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria and elsewhere must stop.”
Earlier, police reported that a suspected suicide bomber killed at least five people and injured 35 others in northeastern Nigeria, another area suffering from armed group insurgency.
In a Christmas message posted on X earlier, Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu called for peace in the country, “especially among individuals with different religious beliefs.” He also stated, “I am committed to doing everything I can to entrench religious freedom in Nigeria and protect Christians, Muslims, and all Nigerians from violence.”
Trump’s post came on Christmas Day while he was at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, where he is spending the holiday. He did not participate in any public events during the day, and his last appearance before reporters was on Wednesday night.
This operation is part of an approach by the Trump administration to expand U.S. military operations against groups classified as “terrorist” outside traditional conflict zones. Throughout his presidency, Trump repeatedly emphasized the priority of combating ISIS and affiliated groups, asserting Washington’s readiness to use direct military force to protect its interests and allies, even as these strikes draw international criticism regarding their security and humanitarian implications, and respect for the sovereignty of countries where operations are conducted.
ISIS’s West Africa branch has recently regained activity in northeastern Nigeria, which includes six states: Borno, Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Yobe, and Taraba. In August, it launched a widespread attack on military sites in the Lake Chad area, part of a series of 15 attacks this year against military positions, forcing thousands of residents to flee the area.
The security situation in Nigeria has been increasingly complex, with various armed groups operating across the country. The rise of ISIS-affiliated groups in the region has led to heightened concerns about religious persecution, particularly against Christians. The Nigerian government has been engaged in ongoing efforts to combat these threats, often collaborating with international partners like the United States to enhance security measures.
In recent years, the conflict has escalated, with numerous attacks on both Christian and Muslim communities. The government has faced criticism for its handling of the situation, as violence continues to disrupt the lives of many Nigerians.
