US Airstrikes Target ISIS Terrorists In Nigeria For Anti-Christian Attacks

The United States conducted airstrikes on Islamic State militants in Sokoto State, Nigeria, on Christmas Day, in coordination with Nigerian authorities. President Donald Trump announced the strikes on Truth Social, declaring them a "powerful and deadly" response to ISIS attacks on Christians, which he claimed had reached levels not seen for many years or even centuries.

The U.S. military’s Africa Command confirmed the operation, and War Secretary Pete Hegseth said the U.S. was "always ready" and warned of more strikes to come.

The strikes targeted camps of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria’s West Africa Province (ISIS Sahel Province), known locally as ‘Lakurawa’, in Sokoto State near the border with Niger. The U.S. military stated the operation was conducted in coordination with Nigerian authorities, with intelligence provided by Nigeria.

While initial assessments suggest multiple militant fatalities, casualty numbers remain unclear. The U.S. War Department confirmed the strikes were carried out at the request of Nigerian authorities, though an earlier statement on X was later removed.

Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar described the operation as a "joint operation" with "nothing to do with a particular religion" and confirmed it had been planned for some time. The timing of the strikes, on Christmas Day, was not linked to the holiday by Nigerian officials.

The operation follows a series of violent attacks on Christian communities in Nigeria, including a recent mosque bombing in Borno that killed five and injured over 30. Trump has previously threatened military intervention in Nigeria, accusing the government of failing to protect Christians, and has taken steps such as adding Nigeria to a religious freedom violations list and a travel ban list. The U.S. has also implemented a new visa restriction policy targeting individuals involved in religious violence.

"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!" Trump announced on Truth Social. "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. The Department of War executed numerous perfect strikes, as only the United States is capable of doing. Under my leadership, our Country will not allow Radical Islamic Terrorism to prosper. May God Bless our Military, and MERRY CHRISTMAS to all, including the dead Terrorists, of which there will be many more if their slaughter of Christians continues."

Hegseth on his part said: "The President was clear last month: the killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria (and elsewhere) must end. The @DeptofWar is always ready, so ISIS found out tonight — on Christmas. More to come … Grateful for Nigerian government support & cooperation. Merry Christmas!"