US President Donald Trump has warned that he could order more airstrikes on Nigeria if Christians continue to be killed in the West African nation. In a wide-ranging interview with the New York Times, Trump was asked whether the Christmas Day strikes in Nigeria's northern Sokoto state, targeting Islamist militants, were part of a broader military campaign. I'd love to make it a one-time strike. But if they continue to kill Christians it will be a many-time strike, he said. Nigeria's government has rejected Trump's earlier accusations that it is failing to protect Christians from jihadist attacks, stating that 'Muslims, Christians, and those of no faith alike' are targeted.
Claims of a genocide against Nigeria's Christians began circulating last year in some right-wing US circles - but organizations monitoring political violence in Nigeria indicate that most victims of these jihadist groups are Muslims. Despite acknowledging that Muslims are also being killed in Nigeria, Trump maintained, But it's mostly Christians.
Nigeria, with a population of over 230 million, is religiously divided, with Christians predominating in the south and Muslims mainly in the north. The north-east region has suffered from Islamist insurgencies for 15 years, led by groups like Boko Haram and those linked to the Islamic State (IS).
The US's Christmas Day airstrikes hit camps associated with a jihadist group named Lakurawa in Sokoto, and concerns about the situation remain due to a lack of casualty reports. The Nigerian Foreign Minister emphasized that the strikes were part of a joint operation, highlighting that the military action involved the country's armed forces and was not driven by religion. Discussions around Trump’s assertions continue as he frames his military involvement as a Christmas gesture despite Nigeria's skepticism.
Claims of a genocide against Nigeria's Christians began circulating last year in some right-wing US circles - but organizations monitoring political violence in Nigeria indicate that most victims of these jihadist groups are Muslims. Despite acknowledging that Muslims are also being killed in Nigeria, Trump maintained, But it's mostly Christians.
Nigeria, with a population of over 230 million, is religiously divided, with Christians predominating in the south and Muslims mainly in the north. The north-east region has suffered from Islamist insurgencies for 15 years, led by groups like Boko Haram and those linked to the Islamic State (IS).
The US's Christmas Day airstrikes hit camps associated with a jihadist group named Lakurawa in Sokoto, and concerns about the situation remain due to a lack of casualty reports. The Nigerian Foreign Minister emphasized that the strikes were part of a joint operation, highlighting that the military action involved the country's armed forces and was not driven by religion. Discussions around Trump’s assertions continue as he frames his military involvement as a Christmas gesture despite Nigeria's skepticism.
