US strikes target Islamic State militants in Nigeria

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump said on Thursday that the US launched a “powerful and deadly” strike against so-called Islamic State forces in Nigeria, after spending weeks accusing the West African country’s government of failing to rein in the persecution of Christians.

- WILL WEISSERT

In a Christmas evening post on his social media site, Mr Trump did not provide details or mention the extent of the damage caused by the strikes in Sokoto state.

A US Defence Department official, who insisted on anonymity to discuss details not made public, said the US worked with Nigeria to carry out the strikes, and that they had been approved by that country’s government.

Nigeria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the cooperation included exchange of intelligence and strategic coordination in ways “consistent with international law, mutual respect for sovereignty and shared commitments to regional and global security”.

Mr Trump said the airstrikes were launched against Islamic State militants “who have been targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians”.

Residents and security analysts have said Nigeria's security crisis affects both Christians, predominant in the south, and Muslims, who are the majority in the north.