WASHINGTON / ABUJA — The United States carried out Christmas Day air strikes against Islamic State (IS) militants in Nigeria, marking the first known US military action in the country under President Donald Trump’s second term.
President Trump confirmed the operation on Thursday, describing the attacks as “powerful and deadly” and directly linking them to what his administration says is the ongoing killing of Christians in Nigeria.
The strikes targeted IS-linked fighters operating in northwestern Nigeria, specifically in Sokoto State, according to US Africa Command (AFRICOM).
Trump Issues Blunt Warning on Christmas Day
Posting on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the air strikes were a response to continued violence against Christian communities.
“I have previously warned these Terrorists that if they did not stop the slaughtering of Christians, there would be hell to pay, and tonight, there was,” Trump wrote.
He added: “MERRY CHRISTMAS to all, including the dead Terrorists — and there will be many more if their slaughter of Christians continues.”
The remarks immediately drew global attention due to their timing and tone, blending religious messaging with military action.
Nigerian Government Confirms Precision Strikes
Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the strikes early Friday, calling them precision hits on terrorist targets carried out in coordination with Nigerian authorities.
AFRICOM said multiple IS fighters were killed during the operation but did not disclose casualty figures or provide specific operational details.
Pentagon officials emphasized that the strikes were conducted at Nigeria’s request, underscoring ongoing military cooperation between Washington and Abuja.
Rising US Focus on Religious Violence Claims
The attacks follow weeks of escalating rhetoric from Trump, who in October and November accused Nigeria of allowing what he described as an “existential threat” to Christians.
Trump has repeatedly warned that the US could take unilateral military action if Christian communities continued to face mass violence.
Earlier this year, Washington returned Nigeria to its list of countries of “particular concern” for religious freedom, while also tightening visa restrictions.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on X that he was “grateful for Nigerian government support and cooperation” in the operation.
Nigeria Pushes Back on Religious Framing
Nigeria’s government and independent analysts have pushed back against framing the country’s violence as religious persecution, stressing that armed conflict is driven by multiple factors, including terrorism, organized crime, and local disputes.
Nigeria’s northeast has endured more than 15 years of jihadist violence from Boko Haram and IS-linked factions, leaving over 40,000 dead and millions displaced.
Meanwhile, bandit groups continue to terrorize villages across the northwest and central regions through kidnappings and mass attacks.
On Wednesday, an explosion at a mosque in Maiduguri killed at least seven worshippers, highlighting the broader instability affecting both Muslim and Christian communities.
