Post by : Meena Ariff

The United States military has carried out a targeted air strike against suspected ISIS operatives in Nigeria’s northwestern Sokoto state, killing multiple militants in a mission coordinated with Nigerian authorities. The strike marks a significant intensification of joint counterterrorism efforts between Washington and Abuja.

US Africa Command confirmed the operation, stating that the strike hit known ISIS hideouts used for planning attacks across the region. While an earlier official message suggested the strike was conducted at the request of Nigerian authorities, that reference was later removed. Nigerian officials, however, maintained that the operation was part of ongoing security cooperation involving intelligence sharing and strategic coordination.

Nigeria’s foreign ministry said the air strikes were carried out under a broader framework of cooperation with the United States to combat armed extremist groups operating in the country’s northwest and northeast. The ministry said the collaboration has enabled precision strikes against terrorist targets, significantly weakening their operational capacity.

Footage released by the Pentagon showed at least one projectile being launched from a US warship. A US defense official confirmed that multiple ISIS members were targeted at established camps believed to be central to the group’s activities in Nigeria.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth publicly thanked the Nigerian government for its support and cooperation, adding in a social media post that further actions could follow, signaling sustained military pressure on extremist groups in the region.

The strike comes amid heightened security concerns in Nigeria. Earlier on Thursday, a suicide bomber killed at least five people and injured 35 others in the country’s northeast, underscoring the ongoing threat posed by militant organizations despite years of military operations.

In recent weeks, the United States has increased surveillance over Nigeria, conducting intelligence-gathering flights across large areas of the country. These operations are believed to have played a key role in identifying militant positions and planning the latest strike.

Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in a Christmas message, called for peace and unity, particularly among people of different religious beliefs. He reaffirmed his commitment to protecting Christians, Muslims, and all Nigerians from violence and pledged to uphold religious freedom nationwide.

The air strike also comes after former US President Donald Trump issued strong warnings in late October, claiming that Christianity faces an “existential threat” in Nigeria. Trump had threatened potential military intervention if the Nigerian government failed to curb violence targeting Christian communities. He welcomed the strike in a statement issued on Christmas Day while spending the holidays in Florida.

Last week, US forces also launched large-scale strikes against ISIS targets in Syria following a suspected militant attack on American personnel there, reflecting a broader campaign against the group across multiple regions.

The latest operation in Nigeria highlights a tougher US approach toward extremist threats in Africa and signals a deepening military partnership with Nigeria as both countries seek to curb the spread of terrorism and restore stability.

#Global News