Is 'Scum' Targeted in U.S. Air Strikes in Nigeria?

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US Launches Strikes Against Islamic State in Nigeria

The United States has carried out a “powerful and deadly” strike on Islamic State (IS) militants in north-west Nigeria, according to President Donald Trump. The operation was conducted in coordination with Nigeria’s military and followed weeks of criticism from the US president regarding the Nigerian government’s failure to protect Christians from attacks.

“Tonight, at my direction as commander in chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against Isis terrorist scum in north-west Nigeria, who have been targeting and viciously killing – primarily innocent Christians – at levels not seen for many years, and even centuries,” Trump stated on his Truth Social platform.

The strike resulted in the deaths of multiple IS militants and was carried out after an appeal from Nigerian authorities, as reported by the US military’s Africa Command.

A Warning About Religious Persecution

Trump had previously warned that Christianity faced an “existential threat” in Nigeria and vowed to intervene over what he described as the country’s failure to stop violence targeting Christian communities. The US defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, echoed this sentiment, stating that the killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria must end.

Hegseth shared a message on X: “The president was clear last month: the killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria (and elsewhere) must end.” He also mentioned that the US military is “always ready,” adding, “Isis found out tonight – on Christmas.” He concluded with a “Merry Christmas!” message.

Intelligence Flights and Security Concerns

Reuters reported that the US had been conducting intelligence-gathering flights over large parts of Nigeria since late November. However, the Nigerian government emphasized that armed groups have targeted both Muslims and Christians, suggesting that US claims about Christian persecution do not fully reflect the complex security situation in the country.

Despite these concerns, Nigeria agreed to work with the US to strengthen its forces against militant groups. The country’s population is divided between Muslims in the north and Christians in the south, creating a delicate balance of religious communities.

Recent Attacks and Ongoing Threats

The strikes occurred just a day after a suspected suicide bomber detonated an explosive inside a mosque in Maiduguri, a city in the northeast. At least five worshippers were killed, and 35 others were injured. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, which took place in a region where Islamist insurgents Boko Haram and its IS-affiliated offshoot Iswap have carried out a 15-year campaign of violence, targeting civilians, mosques, and markets.

Escalating US Campaign Against IS

The US has increased its efforts against IS over the past month, launching multiple air strikes in Syria. On December 20, the US killed at least five militants, which Trump labeled “a very serious retaliation” for a deadly attack on American soldiers.

Two US soldiers and an interpreter, who held US citizenship, were killed in an ambush on December 13. This led to the US striking more than 70 targets across central Syria, including in Homs, Deir Ezzor, and Raqqa provinces.

Announcing the strikes, Trump said: “Because of IS’s vicious killing of brave American patriots in Syria, whose beautiful souls I welcomed home to American soil earlier this week in a very dignified ceremony, I am hereby announcing that the United States is inflicting very serious retaliation – just as I promised – on the murderous terrorists responsible.”

He added, “We are striking very strongly against Isis strongholds in Syria, a place soaked in blood which has many problems, but one that has a bright future if IS can be eradicated.”