On December 25, 2025 (Christmas Day), US President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that the US military carried out "powerful and deadly" precision air strikes against Islamic State (IS) militants in northwest Nigeria.
The operation, ordered by Trump in his role as Commander in Chief, targeted fighters accused of attacking innocent civiliansprimarily Christiansin the region. According to US Africa Command, the mission, carried out at the request of Nigerian authorities in Sokoto state, eliminated multiple IS militants.
Heres what we know:
- Joint Effort: Nigerias Foreign Ministry confirmed the strikes hit "terrorist targets" and emphasized ongoing "structured security cooperation" with Washington.
- Religious Context: Nigerias north is predominantly Muslim, while the south is mainly Christian. The government stresses armed groups have victimized both communities.
- US Response: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth thanked Nigeria on X (formerly Twitter) for its support and hinted at "more to come…"
- Leadership Message: President Bola Ahmed Tinubu called for peace between faith communities and pledged to protect all Nigerians.
This move follows recent US strikes in Syria and underscores a broader push against radical extremist groups. For young folks tracking global security, its a reminder of how international partnerships shape responses to terrorism 🌐✈️.
Stay tuned for updates on how this operation affects regional stability and Nigerias fight against militant groups.
Reference(s):
U.S. military strikes IS militants in northwest Nigeria, Trump says
cgtn.com
