Nigeria Confirms It Supplied Key Information for Christmas Day Airstrikes as US Official Predicts of Additional Operations
Nigeria's foreign ministry has confirmed that it provided crucial intelligence in the American military operation conducted on December 25, according to the nation's foreign minister on Friday.
Former President Donald Trump had announced the aerial attacks against ISIS militants in north-west Nigeria after spending weeks criticizing the organization for targeting Christian communities.
Detailed Discussions Came Before the Operation
Nigeria's top diplomat, Yusuf Tuggar, stated that he had held "extensive" phone conversations with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio both prior to and following the airstrike.
He further added that Nigeria's leader, Bola Tinubu, had given the "go-ahead" for the military action. Tuggar did not rule out additional operations, characterizing them as an "ongoing process" that would potentially include international partners.
"This operation had no connection to a specific faith," Tuggar emphasized in an discussion with the BBC. "It is to do with targeting militants who have been killing Nigerians."
US Warns of More Strikes in Nigeria
Shortly following the Christmas Day operation, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth cautioned of additional military actions against ISIS locations in the region.
Hegseth characterized the action as part of a mission to stop the killing of Christians, a stance reiterated by the former president. In a public statement, Hegseth wrote, "He was explicit... the murder of Christian civilians in Nigeria must end. More to come..."
Supporters' Response to the Military Action
The Christmas Day strikes were hailed by some supporters of the ex-leader, who had been agitating for a forceful response to the attacks against Christians.
"There is no a better way to celebrate Christmas than by avenging the death of Christians," posted one well-known activist on a digital platform.
Key Points from the Announcement
- Intelligence Sharing: Nigeria actively provided key intelligence for the US-led operation.
- High-Level Approval: President Bola Tinubu personally authorized the strikes.
- Ongoing Process: The operation is viewed as an "continuing mission" with the possibility of more strikes.
- Non-Religious Aim: Nigerian officials maintain the targeting are focused on counter-terrorism, not religion.
- American Stance: A senior US official has indicated additional strikes are on the horizon.
The situation underscores the evolving military partnership between Nigeria and the United States in addressing militant groups in the Sahel area.
