On Thursday, US President Donald Trump announced that the United States had launched powerful and deadly strikes against ISIS militants in northwest Nigeria. He said the strikes were ordered in response to what he described as the group’s violent attacks on Christian communities in that country.

In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump said he directed the military operation as Commander in Chief. He said the target of the strikes was ISIS militants, whom he called “terrorist scum.” According to Trump, the group had been “targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians.” He said this violence was happening at levels “not seen for many years, and even centuries.”

Trump wrote, “Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS terrorist scum in northwest Nigeria.”

The President also said he had warned the militants before the strikes. He wrote, “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.”

Trump said the strikes were carried out by what he referred to as the “Department of War.” In his post, he praised the execution of the attacks, saying, “The Department of War executed numerous perfect strikes, as only the United States is capable of doing.”

He also emphasised his broader policy goals. Trump said that under his leadership, the United States would not allow “radical Islamic terrorism to prosper.” At the end of his message, the President included a holiday greeting combined with a warning. He wrote, “May God bless our military, and Merry Christmas to all, including the dead terrorists, of which there will be many more if their slaughter of Christians continues.”

This announcement came on Christmas Day, and it reflects a continuation of Trump’s strong stance on terrorism and security in Africa. In recent months, he has repeatedly spoken about attacks on Christians in Nigeria and has warned of possible military action if the violence does not stop.

Trump had earlier spoken with his defence officials, urging preparations for possible action. Reports said he had told his Secretary of Defence to “prepare for possible action” and warned that US forces could enter Nigeria “guns-a-blazing” to protect Christians if needed.

The United States’ actions mark an escalation of its military involvement against ISIS-linked groups in Africa. The strikes against the militants came after long-standing concerns about violent extremist groups operating in parts of northern Nigeria.

So far, Trump’s announcement has not included detailed information on how the operation was conducted or how many militants were killed. The White House has not released further details about the weapons used or the full results of the strikes.

The situation in Nigeria has been complex, with multiple armed groups involved in violence. Some analysts and officials in Nigeria have said that extremist groups attack both Christians and Muslims, and that the conflict in the region cannot be seen as one-sided. However, Trump has focused his statements on the killings of Christians by the militants.