Nigeria Reveals It Provided Key Information for Christmas Day Airstrikes as Defense Secretary Warns of Additional Operations
Nigeria's government has confirmed that it played a role in the American military operation conducted on December 25, as stated by the nation's foreign minister on Friday.
Former President Donald Trump had announced the strikes against Islamic State militants in north-west Nigeria after spending weeks decrying the group for targeting Christians.
Extensive Discussions Preceded the Operation
Nigeria's top diplomat, Yusuf Tuggar, stated that he had held "extensive" discussions with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio immediately prior to and following the attack.
He further added that Nigeria's president, Bola Tinubu, had granted authorization for the airstrikes. Tuggar left the door open for further strikes, describing them as an "continuous effort" that would potentially include other countries.
"The strikes had nothing to do with a specific faith," Tuggar insisted in an interview with the BBC. "It is about attacking terrorists who have been killing Nigerians."
US Warns of Further Actions in Nigeria
Hours after the Christmas Day operation, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned of more strikes against ISIS locations in north-western Nigeria.
Hegseth described the strikes as part of efforts to stop the targeting of Christian individuals, a stance echoed by the ex-commander in chief. In a public statement, Hegseth wrote, "He was clear... the murder of innocent Christians in Nigeria must end. More to come..."
Political Reaction to the Military Action
The holiday military operation were hailed by certain supporters of the ex-leader, who had been calling for a forceful response to the violence against Christians.
"There is no a better way to celebrate Christmas than by avenging the death of Christians," posted one well-known activist on social media.
Key Points from the Revelations
- Intelligence Sharing: Nigeria supplied crucial information for the US-led airstrikes.
- Presidential Authorization: President Bola Tinubu gave the green light for the strikes.
- Ongoing Process: The campaign is described as an "ongoing process" with potential for future actions.
- Non-Religious Aim: Nigerian officials strongly insist the targeting are solely about combating militants, not religious affiliation.
- American Stance: A senior US defense leader has signaled further strikes are likely.
The situation underscores the evolving security cooperation between Nigeria and the US in addressing militant groups in the Sahel area.
