The United States on Thursday carried out Christmas Day army strikes in opposition to purported ISIS targets in Nigeria, with President Donald Trump citing the group’s assaults on Christian communities as the rationale for the operation.

As Trump’s announcement unfold throughout social media, it moved by means of the identical digital ecosystem the place artists like Nicki Minaj now brazenly agreed together with his promoted political narratives. Minaj’s public assist of Trump has reshaped how followers interpret moments when overseas coverage, faith and movie star messaging intersect, even within the absence of direct commentary on the assaults.

“Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS Terrorist Scum in Northwest Nigeria, who have been targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

U.S. Africa Command (United States Africa Command) stated the strikes had been performed on the request of Nigerian authorities and resulted within the deaths of a number of ISIS fighters. These stories haven’t been independently verified.

“AFRICOM conducted a strike at the request of Nigerian authorities in Soboto State killing multiple ISIS terrorists,” the command stated. “Lethal strikes against ISIS demonstrate the strength of our military and our commitment to eliminating terrorist threats against Americans at home and abroad.”

AFRICOM commander Gen. Dagvin Anderson stated the U.S. army is working with Nigeria and regional companions to strengthen counterterrorism cooperation amid ongoing violence concentrating on civilians.

Trump referenced feedback he made in November, when he warned that army motion might comply with if assaults in opposition to Christians continued.

“I have previously warned these Terrorists that if they did not stop the slaughtering of Christians, there would be hell to pay, and tonight, there was,” Trump wrote. “The Department of War executed numerous perfect strikes, as only the United States is capable of doing.”

He concluded his publish by praising the U.S. army and marking the timing of the operation on Christmas Day.

Nigeria acknowledged the strikes Thursday and stated it stays engaged in structured safety cooperation with worldwide companions, together with the United States, to deal with terrorism and violent extremism.

“All counter-terrorism efforts are guided by the primacy of protecting civilian lives, safeguarding national unity and upholding the rights and dignity of all citizens, irrespective of faith or ethnicity,” Nigeria’s overseas ministry stated.

The ministry added that terrorist violence in opposition to Christians, Muslims or different communities threatens Nigeria’s values and worldwide safety.

Last month, Trump designated Nigeria a “country of particular concern” over non secular violence, a classification that requires diplomatic consultations, coverage planning and congressional engagement inside 90 days.

The Trump administration has additionally expanded intelligence operations within the area. According to Reuters, the United States started every day surveillance flights over Nigeria underneath coordination between Nigerian National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

Hegseth echoed the administration’s place Thursday, writing on X that violence in opposition to Christians should finish and praising cooperation with the Nigerian authorities.

Nigerian Information Minister Mohammed Idris stated final month that the nation welcomes U.S. help and stays dedicated to eliminating terrorism. He reported that Nigerian forces have killed greater than 13,500 militants, arrested 17,000 suspects and rescued over 11,200 hostages, together with ladies and kids.

Republican lawmakers praised the strikes. Rep. Riley Moore of West Virginia known as the operation an early step towards ending non secular violence, whereas Rep. Andy Harris of Maryland described it as decisive management.

The strikes got here as authorities in Turkey introduced the arrest of greater than 110 suspected ISIS members allegedly planning assaults round Christmas and New Year celebrations.

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