Overview
- U.S. Africa Command said the Christmas Day strikes were conducted at Nigeria’s request in Sokoto state and killed multiple ISIS militants.
- The Pentagon released video showing a projectile launched from a U.S. warship, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth signaled there could be more operations.
- Nigeria’s foreign ministry described coordinated precision airstrikes within ongoing security cooperation, and Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar told the BBC the operation was planned over time and was not about any one religion.
- President Trump framed the action as retaliation for killings he said targeted Christians, following recent U.S. steps that included restoring Nigeria to a religious-freedom watchlist and imposing visa restrictions.
- Officials have not provided target lists, timelines, or a civilian harm assessment, and independent verification of casualties and specific militant factions remains limited.