U.S. carries out strike on Islamic State militants in northwest Nigeria

The United States launched precision air strikes against Islamic State militants in northwest Nigeria at the request of the Nigerian government, U.S. President Donald Trump and the U.S. military said on Thursday, December 25. Nigeria’s foreign ministry confirmed the operation on Friday, saying the strikes hit “terrorist targets” and that Abuja remains engaged with Washington through structured security cooperation.

President Trump said he ordered the strikes after Islamic State fighters carried out attacks in the region, claiming they had been targeting and killing Christians. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the U.S. acted under his direction as commander-in-chief to deliver what he described as a decisive blow to ISIS militants operating in northwest Nigeria.

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Nigeria confirms U.S. precision strikes on terrorist targets, says operation carried out at Abuja’s request

The U.S. military’s Africa Command said it killed multiple Islamic State militants in the air strikes, which it carried out after intelligence-sharing and coordination with Nigerian authorities. Reuters previously reported that the U.S. had carried out intelligence-gathering flights over large parts of Nigeria since late November.

The operation followed weeks of warnings from Trump, who said Christianity faces an “existential threat” in Nigeria and accused the country’s leadership of failing to protect Christian communities from violence. He had earlier threatened possible U.S. military intervention if attacks continued.

Nigeria’s government rejected claims that Christians are uniquely targeted, saying armed groups attack both Muslims and Christians and that the security situation remains complex. Nigerian officials said such violence stems from a mix of terrorism, banditry, and local conflicts, but added they are working with international partners, including the United States, to strengthen security forces and protect religious freedom.

Nigeria remains deeply divided along religious lines, with a Muslim-majority north and a Christian-majority south. President Trump issued his statement on Christmas Day while spending the holiday at his Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Florida, where he had no public engagements.

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