Abuja/Washington, December 29, 2025
The United States military has carried out airstrikes against Islamic State (IS) targets in Nigeria, responding to a series of deadly assaults on Christian communities in the country’s northeast.
According to U.S. officials, the strikes were aimed at IS training camps and weapons depots, marking one of Washington’s most direct interventions in West Africa’s fight against extremism. The Pentagon described the operation as a “measured response” to escalating violence, which has left dozens dead and displaced hundreds.
Nigeria’s government welcomed the action, saying it underscores international solidarity against terrorism. Local authorities reported that IS-linked fighters had recently attacked villages in Borno State, burning homes and killing civilians, with Christians singled out in the assaults.
Analysts note that the strikes highlight both the expanding reach of IS affiliates in Africa and Washington’s growing willingness to intervene militarily beyond the Middle East. The move also raises questions about long-term U.S. engagement in Nigeria, where security forces have struggled to contain extremist groups despite years of counterinsurgency efforts.
Human rights advocates warn that while the strikes may weaken IS positions, they risk civilian casualties and could inflame tensions in already fragile communities.
For now, U.S. officials insist the operation was precise and necessary. “We will act to protect innocent lives and prevent further atrocities,” a Pentagon spokesperson said, framing the strikes as part of a broader campaign against global terrorism.
(Source – AP News)
—Owned Sources
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