Nigeria Confirms It Furnished Intelligence for US-Led Military Strikes as US Official Predicts of More Operations
Nigeria's foreign ministry has announced that it played a role in the US airstrikes conducted on Christmas Day, according to the country's foreign minister this week.
Ex-President Donald Trump had announced the strikes targeting Islamic State fighters in the northwestern region of Nigeria after a period of decrying the organization for targeting Christian communities.
Extensive Discussions Came Before the Military Action
Nigeria's top diplomat, Yusuf Tuggar, indicated that he had held "lengthy" phone conversations with America's top diplomat Marco Rubio immediately prior to and following the airstrike.
He further added that Nigeria's president, Bola Tinubu, had given the "go-ahead" for the airstrikes. Tuggar left the door open for additional operations, describing them as an "continuous effort" that would also involve international partners.
"The strikes had no connection to a specific faith," Tuggar emphasized in an interview with the BBC. "The objective is about attacking terrorists who have been murdering Nigerian citizens."
US Warns of Further Actions in Nigeria
Hours after the initial strikes, Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth cautioned of additional military actions against ISIS locations in the region.
Hegseth described the strikes as part of efforts to stop the targeting of Christian individuals, a stance reiterated by the former president. In a social media post, Hegseth stated, "The president was explicit... the killing of Christian civilians in Nigeria must cease. More to come..."
Supporters' Response to the Military Action
The holiday military operation were met with praise by certain political allies of the former president, who had been calling for a forceful response to the violence against Christians.
"There is no a more fitting manner to observe the holiday than by avenging the death of Christians," commented one well-known political figure on a digital platform.
Key Points from the Announcement
- Cooperation: Nigeria supplied crucial information for the US-led operation.
- High-Level Approval: President Bola Tinubu personally authorized the military action.
- Ongoing Process: The operation is viewed as an "ongoing process" with the possibility of more strikes.
- Non-Religious Aim: Nigerian officials strongly insist the targeting are focused on counter-terrorism, not religious affiliation.
- American Stance: A top American defense leader has indicated further strikes are likely.
The situation highlights the evolving security cooperation between the West African nation and the US in combating militant groups in the region.
