The US carried out airstrikes against Islamic State (ISIS) militants in Sokoto State, Nigeria, on Christmas Day, targeting camps and hideouts of the Lakurawa group, a lesser-known jihadist organization. The strikes, conducted in coordination with Nigerian authorities, reportedly killed multiple militants and disrupted planned attacks on communities ¹ ² ³.

Residents described the explosions as loud and intense, with some reporting damage to nearby homes. Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar confirmed the strikes were a joint operation with the US, aimed at combating terrorism and protecting civilians ⁴ ⁵ ⁶.

US President Donald Trump stated the strikes targeted ISIS terrorists who had been killing innocent Christians, while Nigerian officials emphasized the operation was not about religion, but about fighting terrorism ¹ ².