Nigeria Confirms It Supplied Key Information for US-Led Airstrikes as US Official Predicts of More Operations
The Nigerian government has announced that it played a role in the American military operation conducted on Christmas Day, according to the nation's foreign minister this week.
Ex-President Donald Trump had announced the aerial attacks against ISIS fighters in north-west Nigeria after spending weeks decrying the organization for attacking Christians.
Detailed Discussions Preceded the Operation
Nigeria's foreign minister, Yusuf Tuggar, stated that he had held "lengthy" phone conversations with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio immediately prior to and following the attack.
He further added that Nigeria's leader, Bola Tinubu, had given the "go-ahead" for the military action. Tuggar did not rule out further strikes, characterizing them as an "ongoing process" that would potentially include other countries.
"This operation had no connection to a specific faith," Tuggar emphasized in an interview with the BBC. "The objective is about attacking terrorists who have been killing Nigerians."
US Warns of Further Actions in Nigeria
Shortly following the initial strikes, Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth cautioned of additional military actions against Islamic State targets in north-western Nigeria.
Hegseth described the strikes as part of a mission to halt the targeting of Christian individuals, a position echoed by the former president. In a social media post, Hegseth stated, "He was clear... the murder of Christian civilians in Nigeria must cease. More to come..."
Supporters' Response to the Military Action
The holiday military operation were met with praise by certain political allies of the former president, who had been calling for a strong military reaction to the violence against Christians.
"I can’t think of a better way to celebrate Christmas than by avenging the death of Christians," posted one prominent political figure on a digital platform.
Key Points from the Announcement
- Intelligence Sharing: Nigeria supplied crucial information for the American airstrikes.
- High-Level Approval: President Bola Tinubu personally authorized the military action.
- Ongoing Process: The campaign is described as an "ongoing process" with the possibility of more strikes.
- Non-Religious Aim: Nigerian officials strongly insist the targeting are solely about counter-terrorism, not religious affiliation.
- US Commitment: A senior US defense leader has signaled further strikes are likely.
This development underscores the evolving military partnership between the West African nation and the United States in combating militant groups in the region.
