U.S. President Donald Trump warned the New York Times that more military strikes could hit Nigeria if Christians are targeted.
Trump spoke after Washington carried out a Christmas Day airstrike against Islamic State militants in northwest Nigeria, citing Nigerian government requests.
The president said he preferred a “one-time strike,” but added repeated attacks could follow if Christians continued to face violence.
Nigeria has previously denied reports that Christians face systematic persecution, creating tension over Trump’s remarks and potential U.S. military action.
The Christmas Day strike marked a rare direct U.S. intervention on African soil, highlighting Washington’s growing concern over extremist activity.
Trump’s comments signal a hardline stance, suggesting the United States could escalate its involvement to protect religious communities.
The U.S. military said the operation targeted Islamic State strongholds, aiming to prevent further attacks against civilians and regional stability.
Experts say repeated strikes risk inflaming local tensions, raising questions about the effectiveness and consequences of U.S. military involvement in Nigeria.
Trump framed the potential for further action as conditional, tying it specifically to threats against Christian populations in the region.
U.S. officials have not clarified what form additional strikes might take or how Nigeria would respond to continued American military operations.