KEY POINTS
- US forces carried out Christmas Day airstrikes on Islamic State linked militants in Sokoto state with Nigerian coordination
- President Trump said the strikes responded to the killing of civilians and warned of further action
- Nigerian officials said the mission was planned earlier and was not linked to religion or the holiday
The United States military carried out airstrikes on Christmas Day against Islamic State linked militants operating in Nigeria’s northwestern Sokoto state, marking a rare direct combat action by US forces in the country, officials said.
President Trump described the airstrikes as a powerful and deadly strike, saying it was launched in response to the killing of civilians, most of them Christians. Writing on social media, Trump warned that further attacks would follow if what he called the slaughter of innocent people continued.
US Africa Command said the airstrikes were conducted in coordination with the Nigerian government and targeted fighters aligned with the Islamic State. An initial assessment indicated that multiple militants were killed, though the command said further analysis was ongoing.
The Pentagon framed the operation as part of broader efforts to degrade extremist groups in West Africa that have carried out mass kidnappings and deadly raids on communities. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth thanked Nigerian authorities for their cooperation and support, describing the partnership as essential to countering militant violence in the region.
Nigerian officials, however, offered a more measured account of the mission. Foreign Minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar said the strikes were the result of a joint operation that had been planned well before the Christmas holiday and was based on Nigerian intelligence. He stressed that the targets were terrorists who threaten all Nigerians, regardless of faith.
Tuggar rejected suggestions that the mission was linked to religion, saying the operation had nothing to do with Christmas or the protection of one religious group over another. His comments appeared aimed at countering the narrative coming from Washington that framed the strikes as a response to attacks on Christians.
Airstrikes Signal Notable Shift in US Engagement with Nigeria
The airstrikes signal a notable shift in US engagement in Nigeria, where American involvement has largely focused on intelligence sharing, training and surveillance support. They also come after months of sharp criticism from Trump, who has accused Nigerian authorities of failing to protect Christian communities from extremist violence.
Security analysts say the operation could deepen military cooperation between the two countries, while also raising questions about how expanded US action might affect an already complex conflict landscape in northern Nigeria.
