President Trump launched decisive military strikes against ISIS terrorists in Nigeria on Christmas Day.
Story Highlights
- US forces conducted “powerful and deadly” airstrikes against ISIS militants in Nigeria’s Sokoto State on December 25, 2025
- Strike targeted ISIS terrorists accused of systematically killing innocent Christians at unprecedented levels
- Operation executed at Nigerian government’s request following Trump’s months-long pressure campaign
- Action fulfills Trump’s October threats of military intervention to protect religious minorities
Trump Delivers on Promise to Protect Christians
President Trump announced via Truth Social that US forces executed a “powerful and deadly strike” against ISIS militants in northwest Nigeria’s Sokoto State on December 25. The operation targeted what Trump called “ISIS Terrorist Scum” responsible for viciously killing primarily innocent Christians. US Africa Command confirmed multiple ISIS militants were eliminated in the strike, which was conducted at the request of Nigerian authorities.
Months of Escalating Pressure Precede Action
The Christmas Day strike represents the culmination of Trump’s sustained pressure campaign beginning in late October 2025. Trump had warned of an “existential threat” to Christianity in Nigeria and threatened military intervention over the government’s failure to stop the killings. In November, he escalated pressure by redesignating Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern for religious freedom violations and halting US aid.
Watch:
Strategic Response to Islamic Extremism
ISIS has maintained a dangerous presence in northwest Nigeria through affiliates conducting systematic attacks on civilians, particularly targeting Christian communities. The Sokoto State operation marks a rare US unilateral airstrike in Nigeria explicitly designed to defend religious minorities, contrasting with typical counter-ISIS operations in established theaters like Syria or Iraq. This precedent-setting action demonstrates Trump’s commitment to using American military power to protect persecuted Christians globally.
Implications for US Foreign Policy
The strike disrupts ISIS operations in Sokoto State while sending a clear message that attacks on Christians will provoke decisive American response. Trump’s willingness to act unilaterally when local governments fail to protect religious minorities reinforces his America First foreign policy principles. The operation also strengthens US-Nigeria counterterrorism cooperation while establishing that religious persecution constitutes grounds for military intervention under Trump’s leadership.
This decisive action validates Trump’s promise that America will stand as the ultimate defender of Christian communities facing Islamic extremism worldwide, marking a sharp departure from previous administrations’ passive approaches to religious persecution.
Sources:
ABC News Coverage of US Strike Against ISIS in Nigeria
