US President Donald Trump said American airstrikes against ISIS targets in Nigeria were intended as a “Christmas present” for the terror group. Speaking on WABC radio, Trump claimed tens of thousands of Christians were being killed in Nigeria, prompting stern warnings to Abuja.
He said US forces struck ISIS positions hard on Christmas Day, describing the group as brutal butchers deserving punishment. Trump announced the strikes earlier on Truth Social, saying they targeted ISIS cells operating in northwest Nigeria.
US Africa Command said the operation was conducted at Nigeria’s request in Sokoto State, killing multiple ISIS militants. Nigerian authorities confirmed continued security cooperation with Washington to confront terrorism and violent extremism nationwide.
Trump also revealed recent US strikes on what he described as a major maritime facility in Venezuela. He said the site, linked to shipping operations, was hit hard two nights earlier, without providing specific details.
Trump argued domestic critics opposed the attacks only because he ordered them, dismissing political backlash as partisan. The remarks come amid intensified US military operations in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific since September.
Washington says the campaign targets narcotics trafficking, with at least 105 people killed in dozens of strikes. Venezuela has condemned the actions, including oil tanker seizures and naval deployments, calling them acts of international piracy.