Hegseth confirms Nigerian government backed U.S. Christmas Day strikes on ISIS
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has confirmed that the Nigerian government was aware of and cooperated with American military strikes carried out against ISIS militants in northwest Nigeria on Christmas Day.
Hegseth made the disclosure in a public statement, saying the operation was conducted with the knowledge and support of Nigerian authorities. He linked the strikes to U.S. concerns over attacks on civilians, particularly Christians, by extremist groups operating in the region.
“The President was clear last month: the killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria (and elsewhere) must end,” Hegseth said. “The Department of War is always ready, so ISIS found out tonight on Christmas. More to come. Grateful for Nigerian government support & cooperation. Merry Christmas.”
The confirmation follows earlier statements by U.S. President Donald Trump, who said he ordered multiple strikes against alleged ISIS targets in northwest Nigeria. Details about the locations, scale, and casualties of the strikes have not been officially released.
Nigeria has been battling Islamist insurgency for more than a decade, with Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa Province (ISWAP) carrying out attacks that have affected civilians of different religious backgrounds, particularly in the northern part of the country.
Neither the Nigerian government nor the U.S. Department of Defense has provided further operational details, but officials say security cooperation between both countries has been strengthened in recent months as part of joint efforts to counter terrorism.
