The Nigerian Government Reveals It Furnished Intelligence for Christmas Day Airstrikes as US Official Warns of More Operations
The Nigerian government has confirmed that it played a role in the US airstrikes conducted on Christmas Day, according to the nation's foreign minister this week.
Ex-President Donald Trump previously declared the strikes targeting Islamic State fighters in north-west Nigeria after a period of criticizing the organization for attacking Christians.
Extensive Consultations Came Before the Operation
Nigeria's foreign minister, Yusuf Tuggar, stated that he had held "lengthy" phone conversations with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio immediately prior to and following the airstrike.
He also noted that Nigeria's president, Bola Tinubu, had granted authorization for the military action. Tuggar left the door open for further strikes, describing them as an "continuous effort" that would potentially include international partners.
"This operation had no connection to a particular religion," Tuggar emphasized in an discussion with the BBC. "The objective is about attacking terrorists who have been murdering Nigerian citizens."
US Warns of More Actions in Nigeria
Hours after the initial strikes, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth cautioned of additional military actions against ISIS locations in the region.
Hegseth described the strikes as part of a mission to stop the killing of Christians, a stance echoed by the former president. In a social media post, Hegseth wrote, "He was clear... the murder of innocent Christians in Nigeria must end. More to come..."
Political Reaction to the Military Action
The holiday military operation were met with praise by some supporters of the former president, who had been calling for a strong military reaction to the violence against Christians.
"I can’t think of a better way to observe the holiday than by avenging the death of Christians," posted one well-known political figure on social media.
Main Takeaways from the Announcement
- Intelligence Sharing: Nigeria actively provided key intelligence for the US-led operation.
- High-Level Approval: President Bola Tinubu personally authorized the military action.
- Continuous Effort: The campaign is viewed as an "continuing mission" with potential for more strikes.
- Non-Religious Aim: Nigerian officials maintain the strikes are focused on counter-terrorism, not religious affiliation.
- American Stance: A top American official has signaled further military actions are on the horizon.
This development highlights the complex security cooperation between the West African nation and the United States in combating terrorist threats in the region.
