Trump announces US strikes against ISIS in Nigeria
US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that US forces had carried out a series of precise and effective airstrikes against ISIS terrorist strongholds in northwestern Nigeria, stressing that these operations were a decisive response to the organization's threats, and promising further military action.
In the announcement, Trump stated on his social media platform Truth Social that the U.S. Department of Defense (the Pentagon) carried out these strikes on Christmas Day, targeting strategic ISIS sites. He added firmly, "I warned these terrorists before, they would pay a heavy price, and tonight that price was paid.".
Military coordination and government support
For his part, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, speaking via the "X" platform, affirmed the readiness of US forces to rapidly deploy to the region, expressing his deep gratitude for "the Nigerian government's support and close cooperation" in facilitating this mission. These statements underscore the collaborative nature of the operation, with US Africa Command (AFRICOM) clarifying that the strike was conducted "at the direct request of Nigerian authorities" and resulted in the neutralization of several members of the organization.
Security context and terrorism challenges in West Africa
These strikes come at a time when West Africa, particularly the Lake Chad Basin, is witnessing a surge in the activity of armed groups. Nigeria has been facing an armed insurgency for over a decade, which began with Boko Haram, before a splinter group broke away and pledged allegiance to the Islamic State, becoming known as the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). This faction has become the dominant and most organized force in the region, posing a cross-border security threat that extends to Niger, Chad, and Cameroon.
These US military operations are part of a broader counterterrorism strategy in the African Sahel, where Washington seeks to prevent extremist groups from finding safe havens that can be used to plan external attacks, especially after the decline of ISIS's influence in the Middle East.
Political and diplomatic dimensions
These strikes, the first under Trump's new administration against Nigeria, carry significant political implications. They come after a period of relative diplomatic tension following earlier statements by the Republican president criticizing the security situation of Christians in Nigeria, describing it as an "existential threat." However, current military cooperation indicates that shared security interests and counterterrorism efforts remain the cornerstone of relations between Washington and Abuja.
Observers believe this move reflects the United States' commitment to supporting Nigeria, Africa's most populous nation and largest economy, in its war against insurgency, while trying to balance human rights pressures with on-the-ground military support to ensure regional stability.
