The United States has launched deadly military strikes against Islamic State militants operating in Nigeria, President Donald Trump announced, marking a significant escalation in Washington’s counterterrorism operations in West Africa. The strikes, carried out on Christmas Day, targeted Islamic State fighters accused of carrying out violent attacks in Nigeria’s northwestern region.

According to Trump, the operation was aimed at eliminating militants linked to the Islamic State who have been responsible for killings, kidnappings, and attacks on civilian communities. In a statement shared publicly, Trump described the targets as dangerous extremists and said the US would act decisively to prevent further violence. While specific details about the scale of the operation remain limited, initial assessments suggest multiple militants were killed in the strikes.

US Africa Command (AFRICOM) confirmed that the airstrikes were conducted in coordination with Nigerian authorities, emphasizing that the operation followed intelligence sharing and strategic planning between the two countries. American officials stated that the mission was designed to weaken the operational capacity of Islamic State affiliates in the region and support Nigeria’s ongoing fight against insurgency and terrorism.

Nigeria has been grappling with militant violence for more than a decade, particularly from groups linked to Boko Haram and Islamic State–aligned factions such as the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). In recent years, extremist activity has expanded beyond the northeast, spreading into parts of northwestern Nigeria where armed groups have carried out mass abductions, village raids, and deadly assaults.

Trump framed the strikes as a response to extremist violence and warned that the US would not hesitate to take further action if militant groups continue their attacks. His comments highlighted a broader US policy approach that prioritizes direct military action against terrorist networks deemed to pose regional or global threats.

Nigerian officials welcomed the cooperation but stressed that the country’s security challenges are complex and affect communities across religious and ethnic lines. The Nigerian government reiterated its commitment to combating terrorism while calling for sustained international support, intelligence sharing, and capacity building for local security forces.

Analysts say the US intervention underscores growing international concern about the expanding footprint of Islamic State–linked groups in Africa, particularly in the Sahel and West African regions. As pressure mounts in the Middle East, extremist groups have increasingly shifted operations to African territories where governance challenges and security gaps persist.

However, experts also caution that military strikes alone may not be sufficient to bring long-term stability. Addressing the root causes of extremism — including poverty, unemployment, weak governance, and social grievances — remains critical to preventing militant recruitment and resurgence.

The strikes come amid renewed debate over the extent of US military involvement in African security affairs and the balance between counterterrorism operations and respect for national sovereignty. While the immediate impact of the operation appears tactically successful, its broader implications for regional security and US–Nigeria relations will continue to be closely monitored.

As Nigeria and its international partners confront evolving terrorist threats, the latest US strikes signal a firm stance against Islamic State activity in Africa, reinforcing Washington’s willingness to act beyond traditional conflict zones in the global fight against terrorism.