The United States has carried out what President Donald Trump described as “powerful and deadly” airstrikes against Islamic State militants operating in Nigeria, marking a significant escalation of U.S. military involvement in West Africa. Trump announced the operation on Christmas Day, saying American forces targeted Islamic State fighters who he claimed were responsible for killing large numbers of civilians, particularly Christians, in parts of northern Nigeria.
According to U.S. officials, the strikes were conducted against Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), an affiliate of the Islamic State group that has long operated in Nigeria and the wider Lake Chad region. The U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) confirmed that the operation was carried out in coordination with Nigerian authorities, though it did not disclose precise locations or casualty figures, citing operational security. Reuters reported that the strikes targeted militant camps in northwest Nigeria, an area that has seen increasing extremist activity in recent months.
In a statement posted on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the operation demonstrated that the United States would not tolerate extremist violence and warned that further action could follow if attacks continued. He framed the strikes as a response to what he called the systematic killing of Christians, though analysts note that militant violence in Nigeria has affected both Christian and Muslim communities and is often driven by a complex mix of ideology, local grievances, and criminal activity.
Nigerian officials acknowledged the U.S. action as part of ongoing security cooperation between the two countries. A senior Nigerian government source told international media that intelligence sharing and limited military support from foreign partners remain crucial in the fight against insurgent groups, while emphasizing that Nigeria retains primary responsibility for its internal security. President Bola Tinubu, in his Christmas message, called for unity and peace among Nigerians of all faiths and reiterated his government’s commitment to tackling terrorism and banditry.
The strikes come amid renewed international attention on insecurity in Nigeria, where Islamist insurgencies, armed banditry, and communal violence have displaced millions over the past decade. The Islamic State affiliate emerged from a split within Boko Haram and has continued to stage attacks on military targets and civilians despite sustained pressure from Nigerian forces and regional allies.
While U.S. officials described the strikes as successful, some security experts cautioned that airstrikes alone are unlikely to defeat militant groups without long-term political and economic solutions. Human rights groups also urged transparency and the protection of civilians, warning that military operations must avoid worsening humanitarian conditions in already fragile communities.
The U.S. action underscores Washington’s continued counterterrorism engagement in Africa and signals a willingness by the Trump administration to use direct military force against Islamic State affiliates beyond the Middle East, even as questions remain about the long-term impact of such interventions on regional stability.
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