U.S. To Conduct More Military Strikes in Nigeria Over Violence Against Christians – President Trump
In a wide-ranging interview published Thursday in The New York Times, U.S. President Donald Trump suggested that the U.S. military strikes in Nigeria could continue if violence against Christians in the country does not decrease.
Asked whether the Christmas Day strike on Islamic State militants in northwest Nigeria marked the beginning of a broader campaign, Trump said he hoped it would be a “one-time strike,” but warned that continued atrocities could lead to “many-time strikes.”
The December 25 operation, described by Washington as targeting affiliates of the Islamic State at the request of the Nigerian government, drew significant global attention. Trump framed the intervention as a response to what he characterised as repeated killings of Christians by extremist groups — a description that has sparked debate about the motives behind the military action.
When questioned about comments from his senior Africa adviser indicating that groups such as the Islamic State West Africa Province and Boko Haram have killed more Muslims than Christians in Nigeria, Trump acknowledged that Muslims have also been victims. “I think that Muslims are being killed also in Nigeria. But it’s mostly Christians,” he said.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has rejected claims that Christians are being singled out for genocide, noting that violent armed groups operate with mixed motives and have killed both Muslims and Christians in the troubled northern regions of the country.
Nigerian authorities have emphasised cooperation with international partners in counter-terrorism efforts while stressing that violence against any community, regardless of faith, is unacceptable.
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