The USA on Thursday carried out Christmas Day army strikes towards purported ISIS targets in Nigeria, with President Donald Trump citing the group’s assaults on Christian communities as the rationale for the operation.
As Trump’s announcement unfold throughout social media, it moved by way of the identical digital ecosystem the place artists like Nicki Minaj now brazenly agreed together with his promoted political narratives. Minaj’s public help of Trump has reshaped how followers interpret moments when overseas coverage, faith and movie star messaging intersect, even within the absence of direct commentary on the assaults.
“Tonight, at my course as Commander in Chief, america launched a robust and lethal strike towards ISIS Terrorist Scum in Northwest Nigeria, who’ve been concentrating on and viciously killing, primarily, harmless Christians,” Trump wrote on Reality Social.
U.S. Africa Command (United States Africa Command) mentioned the strikes had been performed on the request of Nigerian authorities and resulted within the deaths of a number of ISIS fighters. These experiences haven’t been independently verified.
“AFRICOM performed a strike on the request of Nigerian authorities in Soboto State killing a number of ISIS terrorists,” the command mentioned. “Deadly strikes towards ISIS show the power of our army and our dedication to eliminating terrorist threats towards People at dwelling and overseas.”
AFRICOM commander Gen. Dagvin Anderson mentioned the U.S. army is working with Nigeria and regional companions to strengthen counterterrorism cooperation amid ongoing violence concentrating on civilians.
Trump referenced feedback he made in November, when he warned that army motion may comply with if assaults towards Christians continued.
“I’ve beforehand warned these Terrorists that if they didn’t cease the slaughtering of Christians, there can be hell to pay, and tonight, there was,” Trump wrote. “The Division of Conflict executed quite a few good strikes, as solely america is able to doing.”
He concluded his submit by praising the U.S. army and marking the timing of the operation on Christmas Day.
Nigeria acknowledged the strikes Thursday and mentioned it stays engaged in structured safety cooperation with worldwide companions, together with america, to handle terrorism and violent extremism.
“All counter-terrorism efforts are guided by the primacy of defending civilian lives, safeguarding nationwide unity and upholding the rights and dignity of all residents, irrespective of religion or ethnicity,” Nigeria’s overseas ministry mentioned.
The ministry added that terrorist violence towards Christians, Muslims or different communities threatens Nigeria’s values and worldwide safety.
Final month, Trump designated Nigeria a “nation of specific concern” over non secular violence, a classification that requires diplomatic consultations, coverage planning and congressional engagement inside 90 days.
The Trump administration has additionally expanded intelligence operations within the area. In keeping with Reuters, america started each day surveillance flights over Nigeria below coordination between Nigerian Nationwide Safety Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Hegseth echoed the administration’s place Thursday, writing on X that violence towards Christians should finish and praising cooperation with the Nigerian authorities.
Nigerian Data Minister Mohammed Idris mentioned final month that the nation welcomes U.S. help and stays dedicated to eliminating terrorism. He reported that Nigerian forces have killed greater than 13,500 militants, arrested 17,000 suspects and rescued over 11,200 hostages, together with ladies and kids.
Republican lawmakers praised the strikes. Rep. Riley Moore of West Virginia referred to as the operation an early step towards ending non secular violence, whereas Rep. Andy Harris of Maryland described it as decisive management.
The strikes got here as authorities in Turkey introduced the arrest of greater than 110 suspected ISIS members allegedly planning assaults round Christmas and New Yr celebrations.
Associated
