US Conducts Airstrikes on Islamic State

The United States has carried out airstrikes targeting Islamic State (IS)–linked militants in northwestern Nigeria, the US military has confirmed. The operation struck militant camps in Sokoto State near the Niger border, with an initial assessment indicating multiple fatalities.

US President Donald Trump described the Christmas Day strikes as “deadly” and accused the group of targeting civilians, particularly Christians. Nigerian officials, however, rejected any religious interpretation of the operation.

Nigeria’s Foreign Minister, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, said the strikes were part of a joint US–Nigeria effort based on intelligence provided by Nigerian authorities and had been planned well in advance. He stressed that the timing was unrelated to Christmas and focused solely on countering terrorism.

The Nigerian government has been battling jihadist groups for years, mainly in the northeast, but the operation reflects growing concern over militant activity in the northwest.

Local residents reported loud explosions late Thursday, with some initially believing an aircraft had crashed nearby. One resident denied the presence of IS fighters in his community.

The US has previously accused Nigeria of failing to protect Christians from extremist violence and has designated the country as a “country of particular concern” over religious freedom.