The Nigerian Government Discloses It Supplied Intelligence for Christmas Day Military Strikes as US Official Warns of Additional Operations
The Nigerian foreign ministry has stated that it provided crucial intelligence in the US airstrikes conducted on December 25, according to the country's foreign minister this week.
Ex-President Donald Trump previously declared the strikes against ISIS fighters in the northwestern region of Nigeria after spending weeks criticizing the group for attacking Christian communities.
Extensive Consultations Came Before the Operation
Nigeria's foreign minister, Yusuf Tuggar, stated that he had engaged in "extensive" phone conversations with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio immediately prior to and following the attack.
He further added that Nigeria's president, Bola Tinubu, had given the "go-ahead" for the airstrikes. Tuggar did not rule out additional operations, describing them as an "continuous effort" that would also involve other countries.
"This operation had nothing to do with a particular religion," Tuggar emphasized in an interview with the BBC. "The objective is about attacking terrorists who have been murdering Nigerian citizens."
US Warns of More Actions in Nigeria
Shortly following the Christmas Day operation, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth cautioned of additional military actions against ISIS locations in north-western Nigeria.
Hegseth characterized the action as part of a mission to halt the killing of Christians, a stance echoed by the former president. In a public statement, Hegseth stated, "The president was explicit... the murder of Christian civilians in Nigeria must end. More to come..."
Supporters' Response to the Military Action
The holiday military operation were hailed by some supporters of the former president, who had been agitating for a strong military reaction to the attacks against Christians.
"I can’t think of a better way to observe the holiday than by avenging the death of Christians," commented one well-known activist on social media.
Key Points from the Announcement
- Intelligence Sharing: Nigeria actively provided crucial information for the US-led operation.
- High-Level Approval: President Bola Tinubu gave the green light for the strikes.
- Continuous Effort: The campaign is described as an "continuing mission" with potential for more strikes.
- Non-Religious Aim: Nigerian officials strongly insist the strikes are solely about counter-terrorism, not religion.
- US Commitment: A top American defense leader has indicated further strikes are on the horizon.
The situation underscores the evolving military partnership between the West African nation and the US in combating militant groups in the Sahel area.