The United States has carried out an air strike targeting ISIL fighters in northwest Nigeria, marking a significant escalation in international military cooperation against extremist groups in the region.
US President Donald Trump announced that the operation was authorized under his role as Commander in Chief, describing it as a decisive strike against ISIS elements accused of carrying out deadly attacks on civilians.
The US Africa Command confirmed that the air strike was conducted at the request of Nigerian authorities and resulted in the deaths of multiple ISIL fighters, with the operation taking place in an area identified as Sokoto State.
The military action comes weeks after the US administration directed the Pentagon to explore possible intervention options in Nigeria following concerns raised about extremist violence.
Nigerian authorities have maintained that terrorist groups indiscriminately target both Muslim and Christian communities and have rejected claims that the crisis amounts to religious persecution.
In a statement issued after the strike, Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed ongoing structured security cooperation with international partners, including the United States, as part of broader efforts to combat terrorism and violent extremism across the country.
