Nigeria Confirms It Provided Intelligence for US-Led Military Strikes as US Official Predicts of Additional Attacks
Nigeria's government has announced that it provided crucial intelligence in the American military operation carried out on December 25, as stated by the nation's foreign minister on Friday.
Ex-President Donald Trump had announced the aerial attacks targeting Islamic State militants in north-west Nigeria after spending weeks criticizing the group for targeting Christians.
Extensive Discussions Preceded the Military Action
Nigeria's foreign minister, Yusuf Tuggar, stated that he had held "lengthy" discussions with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio immediately before and after the airstrike.
He further added that Nigeria's leader, Bola Tinubu, had approved for the airstrikes. Tuggar left the door open for further strikes, characterizing them as an "continuous effort" that would also involve international partners.
"This operation had no connection to a specific faith," Tuggar insisted in an discussion with the BBC. "The objective is about targeting militants who have been murdering Nigerian citizens."
US Warns of More Strikes in Nigeria
Shortly following the Christmas Day operation, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth cautioned of more strikes against Islamic State targets in the region.
Hegseth characterized the action as part of efforts to stop the targeting of Christian individuals, a position echoed by the former president. In a public statement, Hegseth stated, "He was explicit... the murder of Christian civilians in Nigeria must end. More to come..."
Supporters' Response to the Airstrikes
The Christmas Day strikes were hailed by certain supporters of the ex-leader, who had been calling for a forceful response to the attacks against Christians.
"There is no a better way to celebrate Christmas than by responding to the killings of Christians," posted one prominent activist on a digital platform.
Key Points from the Announcement
- Intelligence Sharing: Nigeria supplied key intelligence for the US-led operation.
- High-Level Approval: President Bola Tinubu gave the green light for the military action.
- Continuous Effort: The campaign is viewed as an "continuing mission" with potential for future actions.
- Non-Religious Aim: Nigerian officials strongly insist the strikes are focused on counter-terrorism, not religion.
- US Commitment: A senior US official has signaled additional strikes are likely.
This development highlights the evolving military partnership between the West African nation and the US in combating terrorist threats in the region.
