Nigeria Confirms U.S. Airstrikes on ISIL Targets in Northwest

Nigeria Confirms U.S. Airstrikes on ISIL Targets in Northwest
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The Nigerian government has confirmed that the United States carried out airstrikes against ISIL (ISIS) fighters in the country’s northwest, following recent attacks by the armed group, Al Jazeera reported. A missile launch video released by the U.S. shows strikes targeting suspected militant positions.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the operations were aimed at ISIL fighters responsible for the “vicious” killing of primarily Christian civilians at levels “not seen for many years, and even centuries.”

However, Nigerian authorities cautioned against oversimplifying the situation, noting that violent attacks in the region affect both Muslim and Christian communities. Officials emphasized that claims portraying only Christians as victims do not reflect the full complexity of Nigeria’s security challenges and overlook ongoing government efforts to safeguard religious freedom.

The U.S. strikes represent part of continued international counterterrorism operations against ISIL-affiliated groups in West Africa, which have been active in Nigeria’s northwest, particularly in Borno, Yobe, and surrounding areas.