Nigeria Discloses It Furnished Intelligence for Christmas Day Airstrikes as US Official Predicts of Additional Attacks
The Nigerian foreign ministry has confirmed that it played a role in the American military operation carried out on Christmas Day, according to the nation's foreign minister this week.
Ex-President Donald Trump had announced the aerial attacks targeting Islamic State militants in the northwestern region of Nigeria after spending weeks decrying the organization for attacking Christians.
Detailed Discussions Came Before the Military Action
Nigeria's foreign minister, Yusuf Tuggar, stated that he had held "extensive" discussions with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio both prior to and following the attack.
He also noted that Nigeria's leader, Bola Tinubu, had approved for the military action. Tuggar did not rule out further strikes, characterizing them as an "continuous effort" that would potentially include other countries.
"This operation had nothing to do with a specific faith," Tuggar emphasized in an discussion with the BBC. "The objective is about attacking terrorists who have been killing Nigerians."
US Warns of More Strikes in Nigeria
Hours after the Christmas Day operation, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth cautioned of more strikes against Islamic State targets in north-western Nigeria.
Hegseth described the strikes as part of efforts to stop the killing of Christians, a position echoed by the former president. In a public statement, Hegseth wrote, "He was explicit... the murder of innocent Christians in Nigeria must end. More to come..."
Political Reaction to the Military Action
The holiday military operation were met with praise by certain political allies of the former president, who had been agitating for a forceful response to the attacks against Christians.
"I can’t think of a better way to celebrate Christmas than by avenging the death of Christians," posted one prominent activist on a digital platform.
Key Points from the Announcement
- Cooperation: Nigeria supplied crucial information for the American operation.
- High-Level Approval: President Bola Tinubu gave the green light for the military action.
- Ongoing Process: The operation is described as an "continuing mission" with potential for future actions.
- Non-Religious Aim: Nigerian officials maintain the strikes are solely about counter-terrorism, not religion.
- American Stance: A top American defense leader has indicated additional strikes are on the horizon.
This development underscores the complex military partnership between the West African nation and the US in addressing militant groups in the Sahel area.
