The United States carried out airstrikes against Islamic State (ISIS) fighters in northwestern Nigeria on Christmas Day, according to an announcement by President Donald Trump late Thursday.
Trump said the strikes were ordered to stop ISIS militants accused of carrying out brutal attacks, especially against Christian communities. Writing on Truth Social, he described the operation as a “powerful and deadly strike” and warned that more action would follow if the violence continues.
U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) later confirmed the strikes, saying they were carried out at the request of the Nigerian government. The attacks reportedly hit ISIS targets in Sokoto State and killed several militants. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also acknowledged the operation on X, thanking Nigerian authorities for their cooperation and hinting that further operations could come.
Nigeria’s foreign ministry confirmed the strikes as well, calling them part of ongoing security cooperation with the United States. The ministry said the operation was aimed strictly at terrorist targets and stressed Nigeria’s commitment to protecting all citizens, regardless of religion.
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The airstrikes followed weeks of strong statements from Trump. In November, he labeled Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” over religious freedom, claiming Christians were facing an existential threat. He had also warned that the U.S. could intervene militarily if the Nigerian government failed to stop the killings.
Security experts, however, say Nigeria’s violence is more complicated than a simple religious conflict. The country faces threats from multiple armed groups, including ISIS-linked factions, criminal bandits, and fighters involved in long-running disputes over land and resources. Data from conflict monitors show that both Christians and Muslims have been affected, with many recent victims being Muslims in the northeast. Nigerian officials have repeatedly argued that focusing only on religion ignores deeper problems like poverty, weak governance, and widespread banditry.
Reports say the U.S. strikes were carried out using cruise missiles fired from a Navy ship in the Gulf of Guinea, hitting at least two ISIS camps. There have been no reports of civilian casualties, and details about militant losses remain limited.
This operation is one of several U.S. military actions abroad in recent months, alongside strikes in places like Syria, Yemen, and Iran. It highlights Washington’s renewed focus on fighting Islamist extremism in Africa, while also reflecting ongoing tensions with Nigeria over how best to address security and human rights concerns.
So far, international reaction has been quiet, with no immediate statements from major allies or the United Nations. Attention is now on northwestern Nigeria, where ISIS-linked groups have been gaining ground amid ongoing instability.
