The Nigerian Government Discloses It Supplied Intelligence for Recent Airstrikes as US Official Predicts of Additional Attacks
The Nigerian government has confirmed that it provided crucial intelligence in the US airstrikes conducted on Christmas Day, according to the nation's foreign minister on Friday.
Former President Donald Trump previously declared the strikes against ISIS fighters in north-west Nigeria after a period of criticizing the group for targeting Christians.
Extensive Discussions Preceded the Military Action
Nigeria's top diplomat, Yusuf Tuggar, explained that he had engaged in "extensive" phone conversations with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio both before and after the airstrike.
He also noted 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 potentially include other countries.
"This operation had no connection to a specific faith," Tuggar emphasized in an interview with the BBC. "It is to do with targeting militants who have been murdering Nigerian citizens."
American Official Predicts of More Actions in Nigeria
Hours after the initial strikes, Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth cautioned of additional military actions against ISIS locations in north-western Nigeria.
Hegseth described the strikes as part of efforts to halt the killing of Christians, a stance echoed by the former president. In a social media post, Hegseth wrote, "He was explicit... the murder of Christian civilians in Nigeria must cease. More to come..."
Supporters' Response to the Airstrikes
The Christmas Day strikes were met with praise by certain political allies of the former president, who had been calling for a forceful response to the violence against Christians.
"I can’t think of a better way to observe the holiday than by avenging the death of Christians," posted one well-known political figure on social media.
Key Points from the Announcement
- Intelligence Sharing: Nigeria supplied key intelligence for the American operation.
- Presidential Authorization: President Bola Tinubu gave the green light for the strikes.
- Ongoing Process: The campaign is described as an "continuing mission" with the possibility of more strikes.
- Non-Religious Aim: Nigerian officials strongly insist the strikes are solely about combating militants, not religious affiliation.
- American Stance: A senior US defense leader has indicated additional strikes are likely.
The situation highlights the evolving security cooperation between the West African nation and the United States in combating terrorist threats in the region.
