Nigeria Discloses It Supplied Key Information for US-Led Military Strikes as Defense Secretary Warns of Additional Attacks
Nigeria's foreign ministry has confirmed that it played a role in the US airstrikes conducted on Christmas Day, according to the nation's foreign minister on Friday.
Former President Donald Trump had announced the aerial attacks against ISIS militants in the northwestern region of Nigeria after spending weeks criticizing the organization for attacking Christian communities.
Extensive Consultations Came Before the Operation
Nigeria's foreign minister, Yusuf Tuggar, indicated that he had engaged in "lengthy" phone conversations with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio immediately before and after the attack.
He also noted that Nigeria's president, Bola Tinubu, had approved for the airstrikes. Tuggar left the door open for additional operations, characterizing them as an "continuous effort" that would potentially include international partners.
"The strikes had no connection to a specific faith," Tuggar emphasized in an discussion with the BBC. "The objective is about attacking terrorists who have been killing Nigerians."
American Official Predicts of More Strikes in Nigeria
Hours after the initial strikes, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth cautioned of additional military actions against ISIS locations in north-western Nigeria.
Hegseth characterized the action as part of efforts to halt the killing of Christians, a position echoed by the ex-commander in chief. In a social media post, Hegseth wrote, "The president was clear... the killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria must end. More to come..."
Supporters' Response to the Military Action
The holiday military operation were hailed by certain supporters of the ex-leader, 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 prominent political figure on social media.
Key Points from the Announcement
- Intelligence Sharing: Nigeria supplied key intelligence for the US-led airstrikes.
- High-Level Approval: President Bola Tinubu gave the green light for the strikes.
- Ongoing Process: The operation is described as an "ongoing process" with potential for more strikes.
- Non-Religious Aim: Nigerian officials maintain the strikes are focused on combating militants, not religious affiliation.
- US Commitment: A senior US official has signaled additional strikes are likely.
This development highlights the complex security cooperation between Nigeria and the United States in combating terrorist threats in the Sahel area.
