In a significant claim that has drawn global attention, former United States President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that he had ordered a major military operation against Islamic State (ISIS) terrorists operating in northwest Nigeria. Trump accused the jihadist group of specifically targeting and killing Christians in the region.
Trump's Announcement on Truth Social
Taking to his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump stated that the "powerful and deadly strike" was carried out "at my direction as Commander in Chief." He described the targeted militants as "terrorist scum" and made a grave allegation about their actions. Trump claimed that ISIS has been "targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians, at levels not seen for many years, and even centuries."
He framed the action as a direct response to previous warnings. "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," Trump wrote in his post. He praised the execution of the operation, adding that the "Department of War executed numerous perfect strikes, as only the United States is capable of doing."
A Stern Warning and Broader Context
Trump further emphasised his stance against Islamist terrorism, asserting that under his leadership, the US would not allow "radical Islamic terrorism to prosper." He concluded his message with a pointed holiday greeting: "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."
This announcement is not an isolated comment from the former President. As reported by CNN, Trump has repeatedly highlighted the plight of Christians in Nigeria in recent months. Back in November, he had called on his secretary of defence to "prepare for possible action" and issued a stark warning. He stated that the United States could enter Nigeria "guns-a-blazing" to protect the Christian population in Africa's most populous nation.
Implications and Analysis
This public declaration of a military strike, framed around the protection of a religious minority, is likely to have several ramifications. It brings the complex security situation in Nigeria's northwest, where ISIS-affiliated groups operate alongside other militant factions, into sharp international focus. The statement also underscores Trump's continued engagement with foreign policy matters and his specific focus on religious persecution as a casus belli.
While the exact details and immediate outcomes of the claimed strikes are yet to be independently verified, the announcement itself marks a significant escalation in rhetoric. It positions the defence of Christians abroad as a potential cornerstone of a future Trump foreign policy, setting a precedent for direct intervention based on religious violence.
