The United States, on Christmas Day, carried out airstrikes against Islamic State (ISIS) targets in northwest Nigeria, marking a rare direct U.S. military action in the region.
President Donald Trump announced the operation on December 25, 2025, via a post on Truth Social, stating that he had directed the U.S. military to execute a “powerful and deadly strike” against ISIS militants operating in Nigeria’s northwest.
According to the president, the strikes were conducted by the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) in coordination with Nigerian authorities. The operation reportedly targeted ISIS-affiliated fighters in Sokoto State, an area that has witnessed repeated attacks on Christian communities in recent months.
Initial reports indicated that multiple ISIS militants were killed during what U.S. officials described as precise airstrikes. No civilian casualties were reported.
President Trump said the action was taken in response to what he described as the “ongoing slaughter of Christians” in the region, warning that further military measures could follow if the violence persists.
The airstrikes represent a significant escalation of U.S. involvement in counterterrorism operations in northwest Nigeria and underscore renewed American efforts to combat radical Islamic terrorism in West Africa.
