Trump: "Multiple Flawless Airstrikes Executed... Merry Christmas to All"
On December 25 (local time), President Donald Trump of the United States announced that the U.S. military had carried out a "powerful and deadly airstrike" against Islamic State (IS) terrorists in northwestern Nigeria.
President Trump stated on the social media platform Truth Social that "Under my orders as Commander-in-Chief, the United States has launched a powerful and deadly attack against IS terrorist groups in northwestern Nigeria," adding, "The U.S. Department of War has carried out several flawless operations that only America is capable of executing."
President Trump said that IS terrorists have been killing Christians in Nigeria, stating, "I previously warned them that if they did not stop the massacre of Christians, they would pay a tremendous price, and tonight, that has happened." He went on to say, "I pray for God's blessing on our military and wish a Merry Christmas to everyone, including the dead terrorists," emphasizing that as long as the massacre of Christians continues, more terrorists will be killed.
Previously, President Trump had mentioned the ongoing massacre of Christians in Nigeria and discussed the possibility of deploying military force to prevent it. According to CNN, last month President Trump instructed U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to prepare all possible measures to protect Christians in Nigeria, warning that "the use of force may be employed."
In Nigeria, violent clashes between Muslim nomads and Christian farmers have persisted for a long time. However, given that such conflicts have continued for many years and that Christians are not the only victims, some observers speculate that President Trump's sudden interest in Nigeria may be related to the country's abundant mineral resources.
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