On Christmas night, President Donald Trump announced that the United States had launched a “powerful and deadly” strike against ISIS forces in Nigeria, citing the persecution of Christians as the impetus.
U.S. Strike on ISIS in Nigeria
Trump posted a Christmas evening message that read: “Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS Terrorist Scum in Northwest Nigeria, who have been targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians, at levels not seen for many years, and even Centuries!” He added, “I have previously warned these Terrorists that if they did not stop the slaughtering of Christians, there would be hell to pay, and tonight, there was,” and that “our Country will not allow Radical Islamic Terrorism to prosper.”
U.S. Africa Command echoed the announcement on X, stating that “strikes had been conducted ‘at the request of Nigerian authorities in Soboto State’ and had killed ‘multiple ISIS terrorists.'” The command also noted that the lethal strikes “demonstrate the strength of our military and our commitment to eliminating terrorist threats against Americans at home and abroad.”
Nigerian Cooperation and Official Response
Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement saying that the cooperation “included exchange of intelligence and strategic coordination in ways ‘consistent with international law, mutual respect for sovereignty and shared commitments to regional and global security.'” The ministry also declared that “Terrorist violence in any form, whether directed at Christians, Muslims or other communities, remains an affront to Nigeria’s values and to international peace and security.”
Nigeria’s population of 220 million is split almost equally between Christians and Muslims. The country has long faced insecurity from various fronts, including the Boko Haram extremist group, which seeks to establish a radical interpretation of Islamic law and has also targeted Muslims it deems not Muslim enough. Attacks in Nigeria often have varying motives-religiously motivated ones targeting both Christians and Muslims, clashes between farmers and herders over dwindling resources, communal rivalries, secessionist groups, and ethnic clashes.
U.S. Policy Measures and Broader Context
In the weeks leading up to the strike, Trump ordered the Pentagon to plan for potential military action to curb Christian persecution in Nigeria. The State Department announced it would restrict visas for Nigerians and their family members involved in mass killings and violence against Christians. The U.S. also recently designated Nigeria a “country of particular concern” under the International Religious Freedom Act.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth posted on X, “The President was clear last month: the killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria (and elsewhere) must end.” He added that U.S. forces are “always ready, so ISIS found out tonight – on Christmas” and wrote, “More to come…Grateful for Nigerian government support & cooperation,” before signing off with “Merry Christmas!”
Key Takeaways
- Trump announced a U.S. strike on ISIS in Nigeria, citing Christian persecution.
- The strike was carried out at Nigeria’s request and killed multiple ISIS terrorists.
- Nigeria’s ministry affirmed cooperation and highlighted the broader context of religious and communal violence.
The announcement underscores a heightened U.S. stance against ISIS in West Africa while aligning with Nigerian authorities amid ongoing security challenges.
