"US President Donald Trump said he had ordered the country's army to launch a "powerful and deadly" strikes against targets of the so-called Islamic State (ISIS) in northwestern Nigeria. The strike comes after months of Trump threatening military action over what he labeled as an "existential threat" for Christianity in Nigeria, a claim the local government rejects. The US army's Africa Command (AFCOM) said the strike had been conducted at the request of the Nigerian authorities in the northwestern Sokoto State."
"Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth said he was "grateful" for the support and cooperation with the Nigerian government. Nigeria's Foreign Ministry confirmed the "precision hits on terrorist targets," adding that the government is guided by its intention to safeguard all citizens' life, regardless of faith. According to a statement posted on the ministry's X account, terrorism against any of the country's religious communities "remains an affront on Nigeria's values and to international peace and security.""
"In a Truth Social post, Trump said the reason for the strike was the Islamist group's targeting of "primarily innocent Christians," which he said had reached levels "never seen for many years." "Under my leadership, our Country will not allow Radical Islamic Terrorism to prosper," Trump's post read. The US State Department recently announced its intention to restrict visas for Nigerian nationals involved in violence against Christians in the country."
The United States launched strikes against ISIS targets in northwestern Sokoto State following a presidential order describing the strikes as "powerful and deadly." The operation followed months of US warnings about what was characterized as an existential threat to Christians in Nigeria, a characterization the local government rejects. AFRICOM stated the strikes were carried out at the request of Nigerian authorities. Nigerian officials confirmed precision hits and emphasized safeguarding all citizens regardless of faith, calling terrorism against religious communities an affront to national values and international peace. The US also announced visa restrictions and labeled Nigeria a country of particular concern. According to Nigeria's National Human Rights Commission, at least 2,266 people were killed by bandits or insurgents.
Read at www.dw.com
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