Nigeria Reveals It Furnished Key Information for Christmas Day Military Strikes as Defense Secretary Warns of More Operations
The Nigerian foreign ministry has confirmed that it played a role in the US airstrikes carried out on December 25, according to the nation's foreign minister this week.
Former President Donald Trump had announced the aerial attacks targeting Islamic State fighters in the northwestern region of Nigeria after a period of decrying the organization for targeting Christian communities.
Detailed Discussions Preceded the Operation
Nigeria's foreign minister, Yusuf Tuggar, stated that he had held "extensive" discussions with America's top diplomat Marco Rubio immediately before and after the airstrike.
He further added that Nigeria's president, Bola Tinubu, had given the "go-ahead" for the airstrikes. Tuggar did not rule out additional operations, describing them as an "ongoing process" that would potentially include other countries.
"This operation had nothing to do with a particular religion," Tuggar emphasized in an discussion with the BBC. "The objective is about targeting militants who have been killing Nigerians."
American Official Predicts of More Strikes in Nigeria
Hours after the Christmas Day operation, Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth cautioned of more strikes against ISIS locations in north-western Nigeria.
Hegseth described the strikes as part of efforts to stop the targeting of Christian individuals, a position reiterated by the ex-commander in chief. In a public statement, Hegseth wrote, "The president was clear... the killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria must end. More to come..."
Supporters' Response to the Airstrikes
The Christmas Day strikes were met with praise by certain supporters of the former president, who had been calling for a strong military reaction to the attacks against Christians.
"I can’t think of a better way to celebrate Christmas than by avenging the death of Christians," commented one prominent activist on social media.
Key Points from the Announcement
- Intelligence Sharing: Nigeria actively provided key intelligence for the American airstrikes.
- High-Level Approval: President Bola Tinubu gave the green light for the strikes.
- Continuous Effort: The operation is described as an "ongoing process" with potential for more strikes.
- Non-Religious Aim: Nigerian officials strongly insist the strikes are focused on counter-terrorism, not religious affiliation.
- American Stance: A senior US defense leader has indicated additional strikes are likely.
The situation highlights the complex security cooperation between the West African nation and the US in combating militant groups in the Sahel area.
