U.S. President Donald Trump has introduced that American forces carried out army strikes in opposition to terrorist {groups} working in components of northwest Nigeria.
The motion, based on Trump, was geared toward militants accused of sustained assaults and killings within the area.
The announcement, made on December 25, has drawn worldwide consideration, because it immediately locations the USA in a safety operation linked to Nigeria’s long-running battle with insurgency and terrorism.
Trump stated the strikes have been ordered beneath his authority as Commander-in-Chief and described them as focused actions in opposition to ISIS-linked fighters.
In his assertion, Trump accused the militants of focusing on civilians, particularly Christians.
In accordance with Trump, the militants had been “viciously killing, primarily harmless Christians, at ranges not seen for a few years, and even centuries.” He stated the {groups} had earlier been warned to halt the violence or face severe penalties.
“Tonight, at my path as Commander in Chief, the USA launched a robust and lethal strike in opposition to ISIS terrorist scum in northwest Nigeria,” Trump stated.
“I beforehand warned these terrorists that if they didn’t cease the slaughter of Christians, there can be hell to pay—and tonight, there was.”
Trump additional claimed that the army operation concerned what he known as “quite a few exact strikes,” including that the mission was carried out with accuracy and drive.
He acknowledged that the motion was executed by the U.S. Division of Struggle and insisted that his administration wouldn’t tolerate the unfold of what he described as “radical Islamic terrorism.”
In a Christmas message following the announcement, Trump praised the U.S. army and made a controversial comment, saying, “Could God bless our army, and Merry Christmas to all together with the lifeless terrorists.”
Following the assertion from Washington, the Nigerian authorities acknowledged that overseas army strikes had taken place in components of northern Nigeria.
The affirmation got here by way of the Minister of International Affairs, who famous that the strikes occurred however didn’t disclose operational particulars, casualty figures, or the extent of coordination between Nigeria and the USA.
Furthermore, northwest Nigeria has lately confronted rising assaults from armed {groups}, bandits, and terror-linked factions, resulting in mass displacement and lack of lives.
The area has remained a serious concern for each native authorities and worldwide companions.
As of the time of submitting this report, Nigeria’s army has not issued a separate assertion clarifying the scope of the operation or its affect on ongoing counterterrorism efforts.