In a precision operation conducted on Christmas Day, U.S. forces launched airstrikes against Islamic State (ISIS) targets in northwest Nigeria, resulting in the deaths of multiple ISIS terrorists. U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) confirmed the strikes were carried out in coordination with Nigerian authorities, targeting known ISIS camps in Sokoto State.
President Donald Trump announced the operation on his Truth Social platform, describing it as a “powerful and deadly strike against ISIS Terrorist Scum in Northwest Nigeria.” He emphasised that the militants had been responsible for targeting and killing innocent Christians “at levels not seen for many years, and even Centuries.” Trump warned that further attacks on Christians would prompt additional U.S. responses, stating, “There will be many more dead terrorists if the violence continues.
AFRICOM’s initial battle damage assessment indicated that multiple ISIS terrorists were killed in the strikes on established militant camps. The operation involved precision munitions, as footage released by the Department of Defence showed a missile launch from a U.S. warship. Nigerian officials described the action as a joint effort based on shared intelligence, leading to “precision hits on terrorist targets.”
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Importantly, no reports of civilian casualties have emerged from the strikes. The remote location of the ISIS camps in Sokoto State, combined with the coordinated and targeted nature of the operation, contributed to this outcome, according to U.S. defense officials. Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the strikes were part of ongoing security cooperation with the United States to combat terrorism in the region.
This airstrike follows a pattern of recent U.S. actions against ISIS remnants, including large-scale operations in Syria earlier in December. It underscores the Trump administration’s commitment to countering Islamic extremism, particularly in areas where militants have escalated attacks on religious minorities.
The Nigerian government has welcomed the support, with Foreign Minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar stressing that the operation targets terrorists irrespective of religion and aims to protect all Nigerians. Human rights observers note that violence in northern Nigeria often involves complex ethno-political and economic factors, though ISIS-affiliated groups have claimed responsibility for numerous deadly incidents.
As assessments continue, the strikes represent a significant blow to ISIS operations in West Africa, demonstrating effective international partnership in the fight against terrorism without collateral harm to civilians.
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