ABUJA, NIGERIA
President Donald Trump has ordered U.S. airstrikes against Islamic State–linked militant targets in northwest Nigeria, marking a significant escalation of American military involvement in West Africa and drawing international attention to the region’s worsening security crisis.
The strikes were carried out on Christmas Day following intelligence assessments that identified extremist camps operating in remote forested areas near Nigeria’s border with the Sahel. U.S. Africa Command coordinated closely with Nigerian security forces, targeting locations believed to be used by militants affiliated with the Islamic State’s West Africa network. American officials said the operation was designed to disrupt planning cells and degrade the group’s ability to carry out attacks on civilians.
President Trump announced the action publicly, describing the strikes as decisive and warning that the United States would not hesitate to act again if extremist violence continued. He cited reports of deadly attacks on local communities and framed the operation as part of a broader effort to counter terrorism and protect innocent lives.
Nigerian authorities confirmed that the airstrikes were conducted with their knowledge and cooperation, emphasizing that the operation was based on shared intelligence. Government officials in Abuja said the targeted groups have been responsible for kidnappings, village raids, and attacks on security personnel, particularly in the northwest, where criminal gangs and extremist factions often overlap.
While initial assessments suggest multiple militant casualties, neither U.S. nor Nigerian officials released precise figures. Both governments said damage assessments were ongoing and stressed that the strikes were carefully planned to avoid civilian harm.
Security analysts say the operation reflects growing concern in Washington about the expansion of Islamic State–aligned groups beyond Nigeria’s northeast, where Boko Haram and its offshoots have operated for years. In recent months, violence has intensified in parts of northwestern Nigeria, an area already destabilized by banditry and weak state control.
The strikes also signal a shift toward a more assertive U.S. posture in Africa under the Trump administration. American officials argue that early intervention is necessary to prevent extremist networks from gaining a stronger foothold across the region. Critics, however, caution that airstrikes alone may not address the deeper political, economic, and social drivers of militancy.
International reaction has been mixed. Some regional partners welcomed the move as a show of support for Nigeria’s fight against terrorism, while human rights groups urged transparency and restraint, calling for safeguards to protect civilians.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with multiple security threats, the airstrikes underscore the complexity of the conflict and the growing role of international partners. Officials in both Abuja and Washington say cooperation will continue, with further actions dependent on developments on the ground.
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