Nigeria Reveals It Supplied Intelligence for US-Led Airstrikes as US Official Predicts of Additional Attacks
Nigeria's foreign ministry has stated that it provided crucial intelligence in the American military operation carried out on December 25, as stated by the country's foreign minister on Friday.
Former President Donald Trump previously declared the aerial attacks targeting ISIS fighters in the northwestern region of Nigeria after a period of criticizing the organization for targeting Christians.
Extensive Consultations Preceded the Operation
Nigeria's top diplomat, Yusuf Tuggar, stated that he had held "extensive" phone conversations with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio immediately before and after the airstrike.
He also noted that Nigeria's president, Bola Tinubu, had granted authorization for the military action. Tuggar left the door open for additional operations, describing them as an "continuous effort" that would potentially include other countries.
"The strikes had nothing to do with a specific faith," Tuggar insisted in an interview with the BBC. "It is about attacking terrorists who have been killing Nigerians."
US Warns of Further Actions in Nigeria
Hours after the initial strikes, Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth cautioned of more strikes against Islamic State targets in the region.
Hegseth characterized the action as part of a mission to halt the killing of Christians, a stance reiterated by the ex-commander in chief. In a social media post, Hegseth stated, "The president was clear... the murder of Christian civilians in Nigeria must cease. More to come..."
Supporters' Response to the Military Action
The holiday military operation were hailed by certain supporters of the former president, who had been calling for a forceful response to the attacks against Christians.
"I can’t think of a better way to celebrate Christmas than by responding to the killings of Christians," commented one prominent activist on a digital platform.
Main Takeaways from the Revelations
- Cooperation: Nigeria supplied key intelligence for the American operation.
- High-Level Approval: President Bola Tinubu personally authorized the military action.
- Ongoing Process: The campaign is described as an "continuing mission" with potential for more strikes.
- Secular Objective: Nigerian officials strongly insist the targeting are solely about combating militants, not religious affiliation.
- American Stance: A senior US official has indicated additional military actions are likely.
This development highlights the evolving military partnership between the West African nation and the United States in addressing militant groups in the Sahel area.
