US launches strikes against Islamic State in Nigeria

December 26, 2025

The United States conducted military strikes on Christmas Day against Islamic State-linked militant camps in northwestern Nigeria's Sokoto state, near the Niger border, resulting in multiple reported casualties. Nigerian officials characterized the operation as a joint effort based on long-planned intelligence sharing, emphasizing that the targets were terrorists threatening all Nigerians regardless of religion. President Trump framed the strikes as protecting Christians from persecution, though monitoring groups indicate jihadist violence in Nigeria actually kills more Muslims than Christians, with most attacks occurring in the northeast, not the targeted northwestern region.

Who is affected

Islamic State-linked militants in Sokoto state (reported fatalities)
Nigerian civilians living near the strike zone in Sokoto state
Christians and Muslims throughout Nigeria facing jihadist violence
The Nigerian government and President Bola Tinubu's administration
US military personnel involved in the operation
Residents of the village of Jabo near the strike location
Members of various jihadist groups including Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province, and Lakurawa operating in Nigeria

What action is being taken

The US military is conducting air strikes against IS-linked militant camps in Sokoto state
The Nigerian government is providing intelligence information and cooperating with US forces in joint operations
US reconnaissance flights are being conducted daily over Sokoto and Borno states
The Nigerian government is engaging in structured security cooperation with international partners including the United States

Why it matters

This marks a significant expansion of direct US military intervention into West Africa and represents the Trump administration's willingness to unilaterally target terrorist groups in countries it deems insufficiently protective of religious minorities. The strikes raise concerns about sovereignty and the accuracy of the Trump administration's characterization of the conflict as religiously motivated genocide against Christians, when data shows Muslims are the primary victims of jihadist violence in Nigeria. The operation also highlights the growing threat posed by IS-affiliated groups spreading from the Sahel region into new territories, potentially destabilizing additional areas of Nigeria beyond the traditional northeastern conflict zone.

What's next

Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar did not rule out further strikes against terrorist targets
Nigerian authorities remain engaged in ongoing structured security cooperation with the United States and other international partners to address terrorist threats

Read full article from source: BBC