California: The United States has carried out airstrikes against Islamic State (ISIS) targets in northwest Nigeria, President Donald Trump announced, describing the operation as a decisive response to recent attacks attributed to the extremist group.
In a statement shared on his social media platform Truth Social, President Trump said the strikes were ordered after reports of violence against civilians, particularly members of the Christian community. He stated that the operation was conducted under his authority as commander-in-chief and involved what he called “powerful and precise” military action.
According to the President, the strikes were executed by US forces with the aim of disrupting ISIS activities in the region and preventing further attacks. He reiterated his administration’s position that it would not tolerate the expansion of radical Islamist groups and warned of continued action if violence persists.
US security agencies have long tracked the presence of ISIS-linked groups in parts of West Africa. The US National Counterterrorism Center notes that ISIS–West Africa emerged in 2015 after Boko Haram pledged allegiance to the Islamic State. Since then, the group has been involved in attacks on military installations, government infrastructure, and civilian populations across the region.
While details of the latest operation, including casualty figures and the exact locations targeted, have not been officially released, the announcement underscores Washington’s continued focus on counterterrorism efforts beyond the Middle East.
Nigerian authorities have not yet issued a formal response to the US statement. The region has faced persistent security challenges for years, with armed groups exploiting remote terrain and limited local resources to carry out attacks.
The development comes amid renewed international attention on extremist violence in West Africa, where governments and global partners continue to seek coordinated strategies to curb militancy and protect vulnerable communities.
