The US has launched airstrikes against Islamic State militants in Nigeria. <\/p>\n
A US official told the Reuters news agency that the strikes were conducted at the request of Nigerian authorities.<\/p>\n
The action in Soboto state killed multiple targets, the official said.<\/p>\n
Announcing the military intervention on his social media platform Truth Social, the US president said: “Tonight, at \u200cmy direction as Commander \u200cin Chief, the United States launched \u200ba powerful and deadly strike against \u200dISIS Terrorist Scum in Northwest Nigeria, who have been targeting \u200cand viciously killing, primarily, \u2060innocent Christians, \u200cat levels not seen \u200dfor many years, and even Centuries!<\/p>\n
“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. The Department of War executed numerous perfect strikes, as only the United States is capable of doing.<\/p>\n
“Under my leadership, our Country will not allow Radical Islamic Terrorism to prosper.”<\/p>\n
On X, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth warned there would be “more to come”.<\/p>\n
“The President was clear last month: the killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria (and elsewhere) must end,” he said. “The @DeptofWar [Department of War] is always ready, so ISIS found out tonight – on Christmas. More to come\u2026”<\/p>\n
He added he was grateful to the Nigerian government for its “support and cooperation”.<\/p>\n
Mr Trump said last month that he’d ordered the Pentagon to begin planning for potential military action in Nigeria following claims of Christian persecution.<\/p>\n
His government also designated Nigeria a “country of particular concern” under the International Religious Freedom Act and said it will restrict visas for Nigerians and their family members involved in mass killings and violence against Christians in the West African country.<\/p>\n
This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.<\/p>\n
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