United States President Donald Trump has claimed that the US military carried out missile strikes against what he described as ISIS-linked terrorists operating in northern Nigeria.
In a statement released on Tuesday night, Trump said the strikes were ordered by him and targeted militants he accused of “viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians” in the region.
“Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS terrorist scum in Northwest Nigeria,” Trump said.
He stated that the targeted group had been responsible for sustained attacks on Christian communities and claimed he had previously warned them to halt the killings or face severe consequences.
“I have previously warned these terrorists that if they did not stop the slaughtering of Christians, there would be hell to pay, and tonight, there was,” he said.
Trump further stated that the operation was carried out by the Department of War, claiming that “numerous perfect strikes” were executed.
Following the statement, footage was released by US authorities showing missiles being launched from an undisclosed location, with visual indicators pointing to Nigeria as the target destination.
The US president said the strikes were part of a broader effort to prevent what he described as the spread of “Radical Islamic Terrorism,” adding that his administration would not allow such groups to prosper.
Trump praised the US military and a sent a Christmas message via his statement.
“May God Bless our Military, and Merry Christmas to all,” he said.
Recall Trump had designated Nigeria a country of particular concern and threatened military intervention against terrorists in the country months ago.
Watch video below
