Nigeria Reveals It Supplied Intelligence for US-Led Military Strikes as US Official Predicts of More Attacks

Nigeria's government has announced that it played a role in the US airstrikes conducted on Christmas Day, according to the nation's foreign minister this week.

Ex-President Donald Trump previously declared the aerial attacks against Islamic State fighters in the northwestern region of Nigeria after spending weeks criticizing the organization for targeting Christians.

Detailed Consultations Preceded the Military Action

Nigeria's top diplomat, Yusuf Tuggar, stated that he had engaged in "extensive" phone conversations with America's top diplomat Marco Rubio immediately prior to and following the airstrike.

He also noted that Nigeria's leader, Bola Tinubu, had given the "go-ahead" for the airstrikes. Tuggar left the door open for additional operations, describing them as an "ongoing process" that would potentially include international partners.

"This operation had nothing to do with a specific faith," Tuggar insisted in an discussion with the BBC. "It is about targeting militants who have been murdering Nigerian citizens."

US Warns of More Actions in Nigeria

Hours after the Christmas Day operation, Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth cautioned of more strikes against ISIS locations in north-western Nigeria.

Hegseth characterized the action as part of efforts to stop the targeting of Christian individuals, a position reiterated by the former president. In a public statement, Hegseth stated, "He was clear... the killing of Christian civilians in Nigeria must end. More to come..."

Supporters' Response to the Airstrikes

The Christmas Day strikes were hailed by certain supporters of the former president, who had been agitating for a strong military reaction to the attacks against Christians.

"There is no a better way to celebrate Christmas than by avenging the death of Christians," commented one well-known activist on social media.

Main Takeaways from the Revelations

• Intelligence Sharing: Nigeria supplied key intelligence for the US-led airstrikes.
• High-Level Approval: President Bola Tinubu personally authorized the strikes.
• Ongoing Process: The operation is described as an "continuing mission" with potential for more strikes.
• Non-Religious Aim: Nigerian officials maintain the targeting are solely about combating militants, not religious affiliation.
• American Stance: A top American official has signaled additional military actions are likely.

This development underscores the complex military partnership between the West African nation and the United States in addressing terrorist threats in the region.