WASHINGTON: The United States carried out an airstrike against ISIS-affiliated militants in northwest Nigeria on Thursday, acting at the request of the Nigerian government, President Donald Trump and U.S. military officials confirmed.
In a post on Truth Social, President Trump stated he directed the “powerful and deadly strike” against what he termed “ISIS Terrorist Scum” in the region, claiming the group had been “viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians, at levels not seen for many years.” The U.S. Defense Department released video showing at least one projectile being launched from a warship during the operation.
Nigeria’s Foreign Ministry acknowledged the action, describing it as part of ongoing security cooperation with Washington involving intelligence sharing and strategic coordination. “This has led to precision hits on terrorist targets in Nigeria by air strikes in the North West,” the ministry posted on X.
While U.S. officials framed the strike as a response to attacks on Christians, the Nigerian government has consistently stated that armed groups target both Muslims and Christians, cautioning that such characterizations oversimplify a complex security crisis. Nevertheless, Abuja has agreed to deepen collaboration with the U.S. to bolster its counter-terrorism efforts.
The strike occurred on Christmas Day, shortly after a suspected suicide bomber killed at least five people in Nigeria’s troubled northeast. In a Christmas message, President Bola Tinubu called for peace and reaffirmed his commitment to protecting all Nigerians, regardless of faith.
The operation follows separate large-scale U.S. strikes against ISIS targets in Syria last week and signals continued American military engagement against militant groups abroad.
Meanwhile the Christmas celebrations were violently disrupted in India this week as Modi’s Hindutva mobs targeted Christian festive displays in separate incidents, raising fresh concerns over religious intolerance.
In the capital city of Chhattisgarh, Raipur, a pre-Christmas act of vandalism shocked the community. According to reports, a mob of 30 to 40 masked men, armed with wooden sticks, stormed a shopping mall on Wednesday. They systematically tore down and destroyed Christmas decorations and installations that had been set up for the upcoming festival.
