President Donald Trump stated US forces performed “highly effective and lethal” strikes on Thursday towards Islamic State group militants in northwestern Nigeria, weeks after he warned towards any systemic assault on Christians within the nation.
The Nigerian international ministry early on Friday confirmed the air strikes, describing them as “precision hits on terrorist targets” within the nation.
ISIS terrorists
The Division of Defence’s US Africa Command stated “a number of ISIS terrorists” have been killed in an assault in Sokoto state performed on the request of Nigerian authorities, utilizing an acronym for the Islamic State group.
Few particulars have been offered and it was not clear how many individuals have been killed.
Trump stated he had “beforehand warned these Terrorists that if they didn’t cease the slaughtering of Christians, there could be hell to pay, and tonight, there was.”
“MERRY CHRISTMAS to all, together with the lifeless Terrorists, of which there might be many extra if their slaughter of Christians continues,” he wrote on his Reality Social platform.
US defence officers later posted video of what seemed to be the nighttime launch of a missile from the deck of a battleship flying the US flag.
The assault is the primary by US forces in Nigeria underneath Trump, and comes after the Republican chief unexpectedly berated the west African nation in October and November, saying Christians there confronted an “existential risk” that amounted to “genocide” amid Nigeria’s myriad armed conflicts.
That diplomatic offensive was welcomed by some however interpreted by others as inflaming non secular tensions in Africa’s most populous nation, which has seen bouts of sectarian violence prior to now.
Nigeria’s authorities and impartial analysts reject framing the nation’s violence when it comes to non secular persecution – a story lengthy utilized by the Christian proper in america and Europe.
However Trump, spotlighting what his administration says is world persecution of Christians, careworn final month that Washington was able to take navy motion in Nigeria to counter such killings.
‘Grateful’ for cooperation
The Nigerian international ministry stated the nation was engaged with worldwide companions.
“Nigerian authorities stay engaged in structured safety cooperation with worldwide companions, together with america of America, in addressing the persistent risk of terrorism and violent extremism,” the ministry stated.
Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth stated he was “grateful for Nigerian authorities assist & cooperation” in an X put up.
America this yr positioned Nigeria again on the record of nations of “specific concern” concerning non secular freedom, and has restricted the issuance of visas to Nigerians.
Trump final month additionally threatened to cease all help to Abuja if it “continues to permit the killing of Christians.”
Boko Haram
Nigeria is nearly evenly divided between a Muslim-majority north and a largely Christian south.
Its northeast has been within the grip of jihadist violence for greater than 15 years by the Islamist Boko Haram group, which has claimed greater than 40 000 lives and displaced two million individuals.
On the similar time, giant elements of the nation’s northwest, north and middle have been hit by legal gangs often called “bandits” who assault villages, killing and kidnapping residents.
On Wednesday an explosion ripped by means of a mosque within the northeastern metropolis of Maiduguri, killing at the very least seven worshippers. No armed teams instantly claimed accountability.
By Garrin Lambley © Agence France-Presse
