In a wide-ranging interview with The New York Occasions revealed on Thursday, United States President Donald Trump signalled that the US might undertake a number of army strikes in Nigeria if violence in opposition to Christians persists.
Trump, requested whether or not the December 25 army operation in opposition to Islamic State militants in northwest Nigeria marked the beginning of a broader marketing campaign, mentioned, “I’d like to make it a one-time strike… but when they proceed to kill Christians, will probably be a many-time strike.”
The US strike, which Washington described as focusing on Islamic State associates on the request of the Nigerian authorities, drew world consideration when it was carried out on Christmas Day.
Trump framed it as a response to what he characterised as repeated killings of Christians by extremist {groups} in Nigeria, language that has fuelled debate over the motivations behind the intervention.
When pressed about feedback from his senior Africa adviser that {groups} corresponding to Islamic State West Africa Province and Boko Haram had killed extra Muslims than Christians in Nigeria, Trump acknowledged that Muslims had been additionally victims.
“I believe that Muslims are being killed additionally in Nigeria. However it’s principally Christians,” he mentioned.
The Federal Authorities has rejected claims of a genocide in opposition to Christians, mentioning that violent armed {groups} function with blended motives and have killed each Muslims and Christians throughout the nation’s troubled north.
The Nigerian authorities has emphasised cooperation with worldwide companions in counter-terrorism efforts whereas reiterating that violence in opposition to any group, no matter religion, is unacceptable.