Nigeria Confirms It Supplied Intelligence for US-Led Airstrikes as US Official Predicts of More Attacks
Nigeria's government has confirmed that it provided crucial intelligence in the American military operation carried out on December 25, as stated by the country's foreign minister this week.
Former President Donald Trump had announced the strikes against ISIS militants in the northwestern region of Nigeria after a period of criticizing the organization for attacking Christian communities.
Extensive Consultations Came Before the Operation
Nigeria's foreign minister, Yusuf Tuggar, indicated that he had engaged in "lengthy" phone conversations with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio both before and after the attack.
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 "continuous effort" that would also involve international partners.
"This operation had nothing to do with a specific faith," Tuggar emphasized in an interview with the BBC. "The objective is about targeting militants who have been murdering Nigerian citizens."
US Warns of Further Actions in Nigeria
Shortly following the Christmas Day operation, Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth warned of more strikes against Islamic State targets 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, "He was explicit... 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 forceful response to the attacks against Christians.
"I can’t think of a more fitting manner to celebrate Christmas than by avenging the death of Christians," posted one well-known political figure on social media.
Key Points from the Announcement
- Intelligence Sharing: Nigeria actively provided key intelligence for the American operation.
- Presidential Authorization: President Bola Tinubu gave the green light for the strikes.
- Continuous Effort: The operation is viewed as an "continuing mission" with potential for future actions.
- Non-Religious Aim: Nigerian officials maintain the strikes are focused on counter-terrorism, not religious affiliation.
- American Stance: A senior US defense leader has signaled additional military actions are on the horizon.
This development underscores the complex security cooperation between Nigeria and the United States in combating terrorist threats in the region.