US Launches Deadly Strikes Against ISIS in Nigeria, Trump Says
The United States, in a joint operation with Nigeria, has launched a series of deadly strikes against the Islamic State (ISIS) targets in Nigeria, as announced by President Donald Trump. The operation, which unfolded on Christmas Day, is said to be the first major action by President Trump against armed groups in the West African country. However, the strikes have sparked discourse over their actual intentions and implications.
Background
The US President accused the group of killing Christians, stating on Truth Social, The Pentagon has executed numerous perfect attacks
and America will not allow terrorism to thrive
. He had previously threatened military action to protect Christians in Nigeria from what he described as a genocide
.
But the Nigerian Presidency has clarified that the operation was not targeted at any religious group but aimed at combating terrorism. Nigeria's foreign minister also confirmed to BBC that the strikes were a joint operation
and nothing to do
with religion.
Key Developments
The strikes took place in northwest Nigeria, a hotspot for ISIS activities. The Nigerian authorities had provided the US with intelligence on jihadists before the strikes, as per Nigeria's foreign ministry.
The Department of War released a video of the American attack on ISIS in Nigeria. The US Defence Secretary, Pete Hegseth, has warned of further strikes against Islamic State targets in north-western Nigeria.
Diverging Narratives
While Trump justified the operation citing the persecution of Christians, sources like Al Jazeera English and La Repubblica highlighted that the attacks on Christian farmers happened in a different area, and the majority of victims in Nigeria are Muslim, respectively. This has led to questions about the real reasons behind the US raid in Nigeria.
Trump's announcement has been interpreted differently, with some seeing it as a move to strengthen cooperation with Abuja, while others have suggested that issues such as ISIS, oil, and the alleged defense of Christians could be driving factors.
Reactions and Implications
The US has been warned of more strikes as discussions of 'joint ongoing operations' continue in Abuja. The US President has maintained his commitment to ensuring religious freedom in Nigeria, stating, I stand committed to doing everything within my power to enshrine religious freedom in Nigeria
.
Current Status
At present, it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold. The US, in cooperation with Nigeria, appears committed to continuing strikes against ISIS targets in the region. The discourse around the intentions and implications of these strikes continues, with contrasting narratives persisting around the role of religion in these operations.