President Donald Trump has indicated the United States could conduct additional military operations in Nigeria if violence against Christian communities continues.
Speaking in an interview with The New York Times published Thursday, Trump addressed questions about whether the Christmas Day missile strikes targeting Islamic State positions would lead to broader military action in the region.
The strikes occurred approximately one month after Trump warned of possible U.S. troop deployment to Nigeria, stating American forces would enter “guns-a-blazing to wipe out the terrorists killing our cherished Christians.” Some U.S. lawmakers have alleged that Christians in the West African nation face systematic targeting.
According to Ademola Oshodi, Senior Special Assistant to Nigerian President Bola Tinubu on Foreign Affairs and Protocol, Nigeria retained decision-making authority over the single military operation.
When asked about future actions, Trump expressed hope for a limited response while keeping options open.
“I’d love to make it a one-time strike,” the president told the Times. “But if they continue to kill Christians it will be a many-time strike.”
The Nigerian government has repeatedly rejected claims that Christians are being deliberately targeted for violence in the country.
In October, Massad Boulos, Trump’s senior adviser for Arab and African affairs, stated that extremist organizations including Boko Haram and ISIS have killed more Muslims than Christians in Nigeria.
Responding to his adviser’s assessment, Trump said: “I think that Muslims are being killed also in Nigeria. But it’s mostly Christians.”
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