The President of the United States, Donald Trump, confirmed on Thursday that he ordered "powerful and lethal" airstrikes against targets of the terrorist group ISIS in northwestern Nigeria, in response to what he described as an escalation of mass killings of Christians in that African country.
In a message released by the White House and the newly renamed Department of War, Trump asserted that the operation was carried out on Christmas night, under his authority as Commander in Chief, and warned that there would be more military actions if the killings continue.
"ISIS has been brutally attacking and killing, mainly, innocent Christians, at levels not seen in many years, even centuries," declared the leader.
"I warned them that if they did not stop the massacre of Christians, there would be consequences. Tonight, there were," he stated.
According to Trump, U.S. forces executed "numerous perfect attacks," and he emphasized that his administration "will not allow radical Islamic terrorism to thrive."
The president concluded his message by wishing a "Merry Christmas" and blessings to the U.S. armed forces.
The Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, confirmed the operation and noted that the bombings fulfilled the warning issued by Trump weeks earlier.
"The president was clear: the massacres of Christians in Nigeria must end. ISIS proved it tonight," he wrote on social media.
Hegseth added that the operation received cooperation from the Nigerian government, although the authorities in that country have not yet provided an official assessment of casualties or damages.
The decision comes after a wave of attacks against churches, schools, and Christian communities in Nigeria.
In recent weeks, armed men have attacked temples, kidnapped dozens of worshippers, and abducted hundreds of students in various states across the country.
As part of its response, the Trump administration recently announced visa restrictions against individuals involved in serious violations of religious freedom.
The Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, explained that the policy will allow for visa denials to those who have “directed, supported, or participated” in acts of religious persecution, as well as, in some cases, to their immediate family members.
Trump also designated Nigeria as a "country of particular concern" due to religious persecution, a classification that the Nigerian government has rejected.
"The United States cannot remain idle while these atrocities occur," Rubio reiterated, aligning himself with the president's stance.
On November 2, Trump instructed the Department of Defense to prepare for possible military actions in Nigeria and threatened to withdraw all aid to that country if the government did not help stop the killings.
The attacks ordered at Christmas mark one of the most direct military actions by the U.S. in West Africa under the current administration.
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