In a dramatic Christmas Day announcement, former US President Donald Trump declared that American forces had conducted a series of military strikes against ISIS affiliates in Nigeria.
Christmas Day Declaration on Truth Social
Taking to his Truth Social platform on Thursday, 25 December, Trump stated he had directed the offensive, which he described as targeting "ISIS Terrorist Scum" in the country's northwest. He framed the action as a direct response to the group's alleged campaign of violence against Christian communities.
"Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike," Trump wrote. He accused the militants of "targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians, at levels not seen for many years, and even Centuries."
A Warning Delivered and Broader Context
The former President framed the strikes as the fulfilment of a prior warning. "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," his post continued.
This military action follows significant diplomatic moves by the Trump administration concerning Nigeria. Last month, the US State Department designated Nigeria a "country of particular concern" under the International Religious Freedom Act. Furthermore, recent weeks saw the announcement of visa restrictions for Nigerians believed to be involved in mass killings and violence targeting Christians.
Trump also claimed last month that he had instructed the Pentagon to draft plans for potential military intervention in Nigeria, directly linking it to reports of Christian persecution.
A Festive Message with a Stark Ultimatum
Concluding his Christmas message, Trump praised the US military's capabilities, stating "The Department of War executed numerous perfect strikes, as only the United States is capable of doing." He then issued a stark warning alongside seasonal greetings.
"Under my leadership, our Country will not allow Radical Islamic Terrorism to prosper. May God Bless our Military, and MERRY CHRISTMAS to all, including the dead Terrorists, of which there will be many more if their slaughter of Christians continues," he declared.
The post garnered rapid engagement on social media, amassing close to 8,000 likes within its first hour. As of now, the Pentagon has not released further operational details regarding the scale or specific targets of the Christmas Day strikes.
