Overview
- President Trump announced the strikes on Truth Social and framed them as retaliation for ISIS attacks he said targeted Christians in Nigeria.
- U.S. Africa Command confirmed conducting strikes on December 25 against ISIS sites in Sokoto State but withheld details on platforms, strike numbers, and casualties.
- Initial official statements describe hits on ISIS camps, with further battle‑damage assessment to determine outcomes and any civilian impact.
- U.S. officials said the operation was coordinated with Nigeria, reflecting partner involvement and signaling attention to sovereignty concerns.
- The action follows recent AFRICOM strikes against ISIS in Somalia, while Nigerian leaders and analysts dispute a purely religious framing of the country’s violence.