WASHINGTON / ABUJA — Dec 25 (GeokHub) The United States carried out airstrikes against Islamic State militants in northwest Nigeria on Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump and the U.S. military said, marking a significant escalation of international efforts against extremist violence in the West African country.
President Trump announced the operation in a post on his social media platform, describing the strikes as “powerful and deadly” and saying they targeted militants who had been “viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians.” The strikes were conducted in Sokoto state and, according to U.S. Africa Command, resulted in multiple militant deaths.
Joint Effort With Nigerian Government
The U.S. said the operation was carried out in coordination with the Nigerian government, which has been facing persistent security challenges from Islamist extremist groups. Nigeria’s Foreign Ministry described the airstrikes as part of ongoing security cooperation based on intelligence sharing and strategic coordination to confront militant threats.
Officials emphasised that the effort targets violent extremists rather than any particular religious community. Nigeria’s government reiterated that violent attacks across the country affect both Muslim and Christian populations.
Background and Context
Trump recently expressed concern about violence against Christians in Nigeria, warning earlier this year that the United States might intervene if the situation persisted. The strikes come amid a broader campaign against Islamist militancy in the region, which includes long-running insurgencies by Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
The Nigerian military has struggled to contain multiple armed groups across the country’s north and northeast, and its forces are increasingly working with international partners, including the United States, to enhance counter-terrorism efforts.
Security and Humanitarian Impact
The strikes occurred against a backdrop of continued militant violence in Nigeria. Just days earlier, a suspected suicide bombing at a mosque in the northeastern city of Maiduguri killed at least five worshippers and wounded dozens more, illustrating the ongoing security threats facing civilians.
Nigerian leaders, including President Bola Tinubu, have called for peace and unity across religious lines, stressing the importance of protecting all citizens from violence.
