US launches airstrikes on IS targets in Nigeria, Trump cites attacks on Christians

The United States has carried out a series of airstrikes against Islamic State (IS) terrorists operating in northwest Nigeria, with President Donald Trump claiming the attacks were ordered in response to what he described as escalating violence against Christians in the region.

In a post on his Truth Social platform on December 25, Trump said American forces executed “numerous” and “deadly” strikes against IS militants, asserting that the group had been “targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians.” He claimed the scale of violence had reached levels “not seen for many years, and even centuries.”

“Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS terrorist scum in northwest Nigeria,” Trump wrote, adding that he had previously warned the group to halt attacks on Christian communities. “If they did not stop the slaughtering of Christians, there would be hell to pay — and tonight, there was.”

Trump said the operation involved “numerous perfect strikes” carried out by the US military, referring informally to the Pentagon as the “Department of War.” He framed the action as part of his broader approach to counterterrorism, declaring that under his leadership, the United States would not allow “radical Islamic terrorism to prosper.”

The president concluded his statement with praise for American forces and a holiday message: “May God bless our military, and Merry Christmas to all.”

Nigeria has endured years of extremist violence, particularly in its northern and northeastern regions, where Boko Haram and IS-linked factions have carried out attacks on civilians, security forces and religious communities. The violence has displaced millions and deepened sectarian and regional tensions in Africa’s most populous country.

The US has recently designated Nigeria a “country of particular concern” under the International Religious Freedom Act. In November, Trump said he had directed the Pentagon to begin planning potential military action following allegations of persecution of Christians. The State Department has also announced visa restrictions on Nigerian individuals and family members allegedly linked to mass killings and violence against Christians.

Amid the renewed focus on religious freedom, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu on Christmas Day reiterated his commitment to protecting all faiths. “As your President, I remain committed to doing everything within my power to enshrine religious freedom in Nigeria and to protect all people of different faiths from violence,” Tinubu said in a statement and accompanying letter shared on social media.

He added that since assuming office in 2023, his administration had consistently pledged to safeguard the country’s security, unity and stability.

Nigeria’s government has rejected claims of systematic persecution of Christians, arguing that armed groups target both Muslims and Christians and that such allegations oversimplify a complex security crisis. Nigeria’s population is roughly evenly divided between Muslims, largely concentrated in the north, and Christians, who are more prevalent in the south.