US forces launch ‘powerful’ strikes against Islamic State in Nigeria: Trump

US President Donald Trump has announced that the United States military carried out “powerful and lethal strikes” against the Islamic State (IS) group in northwestern Nigeria.

In a statement posted on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump confirmed the military operation, characterizing the extremist group as “terrorist scum.” He further alleged that the organization has been systematically targeting and brutally murdering innocent Christians in the region.

While the US President claimed that the military successfully executed several “precision strikes,” he did not provide specific details regarding the casualties or the extent of the damage.

The specifics of the operation remain shrouded in some mystery. According to a BBC report, it is currently unclear exactly which locations were targeted or the precise timing of the aerial campaign.

The strikes follow a directive issued by Trump in November, in which he ordered the US military to prepare for operations against Islamic militants operating within Nigeria.

The move signals a significant escalation of US military involvement in West Africa, an area that has seen a rise in insurgent activity over the past decade. Pentagon officials have yet to release a formal briefing on the strategic outcomes of the mission.