"The United States has launched powerful and deadly strikes against groups it claims are affiliated with ISIL (ISIS) in Nigeria, President Donald Trump said on Thursday. The unprecedented Christmas Day strikes came after weeks of accusations from Trump and top Republicans about an alleged Christian genocide they say has been enabled by the Nigerian government. They represent the first known direct US military intervention in the troubled, conflict-racked country."
"Neither side has shared precise information about the identity of the targets struck and the results of the strikes. Security analyst Kabir Adamu from Beacon Security and Intelligence in Abuja told Al Jazeera the likely targets are members of Lakurawa, an armed group linked to an offshoot of ISIL, and which has only recently become known. Its profile is still being studied by researchers. One town which appeared to have been hit was Jabo in the northwestern Sokoto State."
The United States launched powerful and deadly strikes on groups claimed to be affiliated with ISIL in northwest Nigeria, marking the first known direct US military intervention in the country. The strikes occurred on Christmas Day after weeks of accusations from US politicians about an alleged Christian genocide allegedly enabled by the Nigerian government. Precise target identities and strike results have not been disclosed. Analysts suggest likely targets include Lakurawa, an armed group linked to an ISIL offshoot, though its profile is still under study. One town possibly hit was Jabo in Sokoto State, where ISIL-linked cells are not known to operate. The timing and choice of northwest locations carry symbolic religious significance given the historical role of the Sokoto Caliphate.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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