Photo: Alamy
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said Thursday night that U.S. forces struck Islamic State group targets in Nigeria on Christmas, confirming military action after President Donald Trump warned that continued killings of Christians would prompt direct American intervention.
“The President was clear last month: the killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria (and elsewhere) must end,” Hegseth wrote on X. “The @DeptofWar is always ready, so ISIS found out tonight, on Christmas. More to come … Grateful for Nigerian government support & cooperation. Merry Christmas!”
Hegseth’s statement followed comments from President Trump announcing the strike against ISIS militants operating in northwest Nigeria.
“Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS Terrorist Scum in Northwest Nigeria, who have been targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians, at levels not seen for many years, and even Centuries! 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. Under my leadership, our Country will not allow Radical Islamic Terrorism to prosper. May God Bless our Military, and MERRY CHRISTMAS to all, including the dead Terrorists, of which there will be many more if their slaughter of Christians continues.” the president wrote.
President Trump has repeatedly accused the Nigerian government of failing to protect Christians from Islamist violence and warned that U.S. military action would follow if the attacks continued.
“Yes sir. The killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria, and anywhere, must end immediately. The Department of War is preparing for action. Either the Nigerian Government protects Christians, or we will kill the Islamic Terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities,” President Trump wrote earlier.
U.S. Africa Command later confirmed the strike was carried out in coordination with Nigerian authorities. Neither Trump nor Hegseth provided details about the weapons used or the extent of the damage.
Islamic State affiliates have expanded operations in parts of Nigeria in recent years, carrying out attacks against civilians, security forces, and religious communities. Violence targeting Christians has drawn increased scrutiny from religious freedom advocates and U.S. officials.