The US Military has on Christmas Day launched airstrikes against Islamic State-linked Militants in northwest Nigeria, an operation President Donald Trump said was ordered in response to attacks on Christians.
In a post on his Truth Social platform on Thursday, Trump said he directed what he called a “powerful and deadly strike” against Islamic State militants in Nigeria, warning that earlier threats to retaliate had now been carried out. He accused the militants of persecuting and killing innocent Christians and said the United States would not tolerate what he termed “radical Islamic terrorism.”
US Africa Command later confirmed that the operation was conducted at the request of Nigerian authorities and resulted in the deaths of multiple terrorists. According to AFRICOM, the strike targeted militant positions in Sokoto State, which borders Niger.
Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth said he was “grateful” for the support and cooperation with the Nigerian government.
The Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also acknowledged the operation, confirming cooperation with the United States on airstrikes against “terrorist targets.” In a statement shared with CNN, the ministry reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to protecting the rights of all citizens, regardless of religion or ethnicity.
President Donald Trump, who is spending the Christmas holiday at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, framed the strike as part of his broader pledge to defend Christians globally. He said he had previously warned the militants to halt attacks on Christians or face severe consequences, adding that the US military carried out the strikes with precision.
The president has increasingly highlighted the situation of Christians in Nigeria in recent months. In November, he called on his secretary of defense to prepare for possible military action and warned that the United States could intervene forcefully if attacks continued. Earlier this year, his administration designated Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” under the International Religious Freedom Act, citing what it described as systematic and egregious violations of religious freedom.
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country with more than 230 million people, has struggled for years with complex security challenges.
The plight of Christians in Nigeria has drawn growing attention from American conservative circles, with several of Trump’s allies urging stronger US involvement.
Despite campaigning on a promise to limit overseas military interventions, Trump has taken a more assertive posture since returning to office. In addition to the Nigeria strikes, he has ordered actions against Iran’s nuclear program and overseen a significant military buildup around Venezuela, accompanied by warnings of possible further intervention.
