The United States military has conducted Christmas Day airstrikes against Islamic State militants in northwest Nigeria, in coordination with Nigerian authorities, AFRICOM confirms
US Launches Christmas Day Airstrikes on Islamic State Fighters in Nigeria
The United States military has carried out targeted airstrikes against Islamic State (IS) militants operating in northwest Nigeria, marking a significant escalation in counter-terrorism cooperation between Washington and Abuja.
The airstrikes were conducted on Christmas Day, December 25, following authorisation by U.S. President Donald Trump, and were executed in close coordination with the Nigerian government, according to confirmations from the White House and U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) on Thursday.
In a statement shared on social media, President Trump described the military action as “powerful and deadly,” stating that the operation targeted Islamic State fighters responsible for repeated attacks on civilians in the region.
Trump alleged that the militants had been involved in the killing of innocent civilians, particularly Christians, a claim that has remained a sensitive subject amid broader debates over the drivers of violence in Nigeria.
AFRICOM confirmed that the airstrikes were carried out at the request of Nigerian authorities in parts of Sokoto State, resulting in the deaths of “multiple ISIS terrorists.” However, U.S. military officials declined to disclose the precise locations struck or the exact casualty figures.
U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth commended Nigerian security agencies for their “support and cooperation,” noting that the strikes formed part of an ongoing counter-terrorism partnership between both nations.
The intervention comes amid increased political scrutiny in Washington over Nigeria’s security situation, including claims of religious persecution. These assertions, however, have been rejected by the Nigerian government and several independent analysts, who argue that the violence is largely driven by insurgency, banditry and organised criminal networks rather than religious targeting.
Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the U.S. airstrikes, describing them as part of sustained security collaboration with international partners. The ministry stressed that the cooperation involves intelligence sharing and strategic coordination, and reaffirmed that all counter-terrorism operations respect Nigeria’s sovereignty and are focused on safeguarding civilian lives.
Africa’s most populous nation continues to grapple with multiple security threats, particularly from armed groups linked to Islamic State and Boko Haram, whose activities have fuelled mass displacement, humanitarian crises and prolonged instability across the northern and northeastern regions.
The Christmas Day strikes underscore broader U.S.–Nigeria bilateral efforts to degrade violent extremist networks and curb the spread of terrorism in West Africa. Read More
