United States (US) President, Donald J. Trump, has announced that the United States military carried out airstrikes against ISIS-affiliated terrorists operating in northwest Nigeria, describing the operation as a decisive blow against violent extremism in the region.
In a statement posted late on Sunday via his Truth Social account, Trump said the strikes were personally authorised by him in his capacity as Commander-in-Chief.
According to him, the operation targeted terrorists accused of orchestrating brutal attacks on civilians.
“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 wrote.
He claimed the group had been “targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians, at levels not seen for many years, and even Centuries!”
US President TRUMP orders military airstrikes against terrorists in Nigeria
Trump added that the U.S. action followed earlier warnings to the militants.
“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.
Describing the military operation, Trump stated that “the Department of War executed numerous perfect strikes, as only the United States is capable of doing,” while reaffirming his long-held position on counter-terrorism.
“Under my leadership, our Country will not allow Radical Islamic Terrorism to prosper,” he declared.
He concluded his message with a salute to American troops and a seasonal greeting, saying: “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.”