US Carries Out Airstrikes on Islamic State Linked Militants in Northern Nigeria

The United States has carried out military strikes against militants linked to the Islamic State group in north western Nigeria, marking a significant escalation in Washington’s counterterrorism involvement in the region.

According to the US military, the strikes targeted militant camps in Sokoto state, close to Nigeria’s border with Niger. Officials said the area has recently seen increased activity by extremist groups attempting to establish a foothold. While exact casualty figures have not been released, both US and Nigerian authorities confirmed that several militants were killed in the operation.

US President Donald Trump described the Christmas Day strikes as deadly and forceful. In public remarks, he condemned the militants as terrorists and accused them of carrying out brutal attacks, particularly against Christian communities. Trump said the operation was intended to disrupt the group’s ability to organise and carry out further violence.

The strikes were carried out amid growing concern about the spread of Islamic State affiliated groups beyond their traditional strongholds in the Middle East. In recent years, West Africa has emerged as a key focus for extremist expansion, with militants exploiting weak security, remote terrain and local grievances.

Nigerian officials acknowledged the US action and said it was conducted with coordination and intelligence sharing between the two countries. They have repeatedly warned that extremist groups are seeking to regroup in less monitored regions, including areas near international borders that allow fighters and weapons to move more easily.

Sokoto state has not traditionally been at the centre of Nigeria’s long running insurgency, which has been concentrated mainly in the northeast. However, security analysts say militant groups are increasingly spreading their operations westward to avoid pressure from Nigerian forces and regional military coalitions.

The US has previously supported Nigeria through training, intelligence assistance and limited military cooperation, but direct strikes remain relatively rare. Analysts say the latest operation signals Washington’s readiness to take more decisive action when it believes local extremist threats are growing and could destabilise the wider region.

Human rights groups have urged transparency regarding the strikes, calling on both governments to clarify the impact on civilians and ensure that operations comply with international law. Nigerian authorities said there were no reports of civilian casualties, though independent verification has not been possible.

The strikes come at a time of heightened global focus on counterterrorism, as extremist groups seek to exploit political instability and regional conflicts. For Nigeria, the challenge remains balancing international military support with long term efforts to address poverty, governance and security gaps that allow militancy to take root.

As operations continue, both governments say they remain committed to preventing extremist groups from gaining ground in West Africa and to strengthening cooperation against shared security threats.