Washington D.C. – The United States military has conducted what President Donald Trump described as “lethal” strikes against alleged ISIS terrorists in Northwestern Nigeria. The announcement, made Thursday, has sparked both praise and concern regarding the scope and justification of the operation.
President Trump stated via his social media platform that the strikes targeted individuals he identified as “ISIS terrorists” responsible for targeting and killing Christians. He asserted that the action was taken in response to a failure to cease attacks on the religious group. “Tonight, at my direction as Commander-in-Chief, the United States launched a powerful and lethal strike against ISIS terrorists in Northwestern Nigeria,” President Trump wrote. He further added that these terrorists were “brutally targeting and murdering primarily innocent Christians at levels not seen in many years, even centuries.”
The President declared that he had previously warned the alleged terrorists of severe consequences if they continued their attacks. He stated that the “Department of War” had executed “several flawless strikes.” Trump concluded his statement with a blessing for the military and a controversial holiday wish.
The US Africa Command (AFRICOM) released a statement confirming the strikes. AFRICOM described the operations as demonstrating the US commitment to eradicating terrorist threats targeting Americans. “These strikes also demonstrate our commitment to eliminating terrorist threats that target Americans,” the statement read, characterizing the strikes as “lethal” and indicative of the US military’s strength.
Details regarding the specific targets, the extent of the damage inflicted, and the rules of engagement employed in the strikes remain limited. The White House has yet to provide further clarification or context beyond the initial statements. The operation raises questions about the legal basis for military intervention in Nigeria and the potential impact on regional stability.
DZWatch will continue to monitor this developing situation and provide updates as they become available.
