President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that the United States launched a “powerful and deadly” strike against an ISIS group in Nigeria after accusing the country’s government of targeting Christians.
Trump did not mention any details or the extent of the damage caused by the strikes in a post to Truth Social announcing the strikes.
“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. The Department of War executed numerous perfect strikes, as only the United States is capable of doing,” Trump said.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said there will be “more to come” and expressed his gratitude to the Nigerian government for its support.
“The President was clear last month: the killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria (and elsewhere) must end,” he wrote on X. “The @DeptofWar is always ready, so ISIS found out tonight — on Christmas.”
Africa Command confirmed the strikes, which it said were conducted “in coordination with Nigerian authorities.” The Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement saying that the U.S. strikes were carried out together with Nigerian authorities.
“In line with established international practice and bilateral understandings, this cooperation includes the exchange of intelligence, strategic coordination, and other forms of support consistent with international law, mutual respect for sovereignty, and shared commitments to regional and global security,” the ministry said.
The strike against ISIS in Nigeria Thursday comes just days after U.S. strikes were launched against ISIS in Syria, following an attack on U.S. and partner forces in Syria that killed three Americans earlier this month.
In November, Trump instructed the Pentagon to prepare for possible action against Nigeria after accusing the Nigerian government of not doing enough to protect Christians from violence.
“They’re killing the Christians and killing them in very large numbers, we’re not going to allow that to happen,” he said.
