The Nigerian Government Reveals It Supplied Intelligence for US-Led Airstrikes as US Official Predicts of More Operations
Nigeria's government 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.
Former President Donald Trump had announced the aerial attacks against ISIS militants in the northwestern region of Nigeria after spending weeks criticizing the organization for targeting Christian communities.
Detailed Consultations Preceded the Operation
Nigeria's top diplomat, Yusuf Tuggar, stated that he had engaged in "extensive" discussions with America's top diplomat Marco Rubio immediately before and after the airstrike.
He also noted that Nigeria's leader, Bola Tinubu, had approved for the airstrikes. Tuggar did not rule out further strikes, characterizing them as an "ongoing process" that would potentially include international partners.
"This operation had nothing to do with a specific faith," Tuggar emphasized in an interview with the BBC. "It is about targeting militants who have been murdering Nigerian citizens."
US Warns of More Strikes in Nigeria
Hours after the Christmas Day operation, Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth cautioned of more strikes against Islamic State targets in the region.
Hegseth characterized the action as part of efforts to stop the killing of Christians, a stance reiterated by the ex-commander in chief. In a social media post, Hegseth stated, "The president was clear... the murder of Christian civilians in Nigeria must end. More to come..."
Political Reaction to the Military Action
The Christmas Day strikes were met with praise by certain supporters of the ex-leader, who had been calling for a strong military reaction to the attacks against Christians.
"I can’t think of a better way to celebrate Christmas than by responding to the killings of Christians," commented one well-known activist on a digital platform.
Main Takeaways from the Announcement
- Intelligence Sharing: Nigeria supplied key intelligence for the US-led airstrikes.
- High-Level Approval: President Bola Tinubu personally authorized the military action.
- Ongoing Process: The operation is viewed as an "ongoing process" with potential for more strikes.
- Non-Religious Aim: Nigerian officials strongly insist the strikes are solely about counter-terrorism, not religion.
- US Commitment: A senior US defense leader has signaled additional military actions are likely.
This development highlights the complex security cooperation between the West African nation and the US in addressing militant groups in the Sahel area.
