U.S. Launches Airstrikes on ISIS-Linked Targets in Northwest Nigeria

Overview

• AFRICOM said strikes in Sokoto state were coordinated with Nigerian authorities and killed several ISIS-affiliated militants.
• The Nigerian Foreign Ministry confirmed precision strikes and described a cooperative security effort consistent with international law.
• The Pentagon released a short video appearing to show a missile launched from a U.S. warship, while officials provided few operational details.
• President Trump cast the operation as retaliation for killings of Christians and warned of more action if such attacks continue.
• Analysts caution that Nigeria’s violence has multiple drivers and some point to the Lakurawa network as a likely target, with casualty figures still unverified.