Nigeria Reveals It Supplied Key Information for Recent Airstrikes as US Official Predicts of Additional Attacks
Nigeria's foreign ministry has announced that it provided crucial intelligence in the American military operation carried out on Christmas Day, according to the country's foreign minister on Friday.
Ex-President Donald Trump previously declared the strikes targeting Islamic State militants in the northwestern region of Nigeria after spending weeks decrying the group for attacking Christians.
Extensive Discussions Preceded the Operation
Nigeria's foreign minister, Yusuf Tuggar, explained that he had held "extensive" discussions with America's top diplomat Marco Rubio both prior to and following the attack.
He also noted that Nigeria's leader, Bola Tinubu, had granted authorization for the military action. Tuggar did not rule out additional operations, describing them as an "continuous effort" that would potentially include international partners.
"The strikes had no connection to a particular religion," Tuggar insisted in an discussion with the BBC. "The objective is to do with attacking terrorists who have been murdering Nigerian citizens."
US Warns of More Actions in Nigeria
Hours after the Christmas Day operation, Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth cautioned of more strikes against ISIS locations in the region.
Hegseth described the strikes as part of a mission to stop the killing of Christians, a stance echoed by the ex-commander in chief. In a public statement, Hegseth stated, "The president was clear... the murder of innocent Christians in Nigeria must end. More to come..."
Supporters' Response to the Military Action
The holiday military operation were met with praise by some supporters of the ex-leader, who had been calling for a strong military reaction to the violence against Christians.
"There is no a better way to observe the holiday than by responding to the killings of Christians," posted one prominent activist on a digital platform.
Key Points from the Announcement
- Intelligence Sharing: Nigeria actively provided crucial information for the US-led airstrikes.
- High-Level Approval: President Bola Tinubu personally authorized the strikes.
- 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 solely about combating militants, not religious affiliation.
- US Commitment: A senior US official has indicated further military actions are on the horizon.
The situation highlights the complex security cooperation between Nigeria and the United States in addressing terrorist threats in the Sahel area.
