The Nigerian Government Confirms It Supplied Intelligence for Christmas Day Military Strikes as US Official Warns of Additional Operations
The Nigerian foreign ministry has stated that it provided crucial intelligence in the US airstrikes conducted on Christmas Day, as stated by the nation's foreign minister on Friday.
Former President Donald Trump previously declared the strikes targeting ISIS fighters in north-west Nigeria after spending weeks decrying the organization for attacking Christian communities.
Detailed Discussions Came Before the Military Action
Nigeria's foreign minister, Yusuf Tuggar, indicated that he had held "lengthy" discussions with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio immediately prior to and following the airstrike.
He also noted that Nigeria's leader, Bola Tinubu, had given the "go-ahead" for the military action. Tuggar did not rule out further strikes, describing them as an "ongoing process" that would also involve international partners.
"The strikes had no connection to a specific faith," Tuggar insisted in an interview with the BBC. "It is about attacking terrorists who have been murdering Nigerian citizens."
US Warns of More Strikes in Nigeria
Shortly following the initial strikes, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned of more strikes against ISIS locations in north-western Nigeria.
Hegseth characterized the action as part of a mission to stop the targeting of Christian individuals, a position echoed by the former president. In a social media post, Hegseth stated, "The president was clear... the murder of innocent Christians in Nigeria must end. More to come..."
Political Reaction to the Military Action
The Christmas Day strikes were hailed by certain political allies of the former president, who had been calling for a strong military reaction to the violence against Christians.
"There is no a better way to observe the holiday than by responding to the killings of Christians," posted one prominent political figure on a digital platform.
Key Points from the Announcement
- Cooperation: Nigeria supplied key intelligence for the American operation.
- High-Level Approval: President Bola Tinubu personally authorized the strikes.
- Continuous Effort: The campaign is viewed as an "ongoing process" with potential for more strikes.
- Non-Religious Aim: Nigerian officials strongly insist the targeting are solely about combating militants, not religious affiliation.
- US Commitment: A top American defense leader has signaled further military actions are likely.
The situation highlights the evolving military partnership between Nigeria and the United States in addressing terrorist threats in the Sahel area.
