"The response of Nigerians to the airstrikes against Islamic State (IS) targets in Sokoto state, north-western Nigeria are complicated. The rationale behind them has been widely opposed, but the strikes themselves have been welcomed. The airstrikes were framed as a response to what have been described as genocidal attacks on Christians in the country. But the Nigerian authorities have consistently rejected this narrative, arguing that armed groups in the country do not discriminate based on religion, and that Christians and Muslims largely coexist peacefully."
"The geographic and operational focus of the strikes has complicated the Christian genocide framing. Sokoto is the spiritual heartland of Islam in Nigeria, but armed violence in the area disproportionately affects Muslim communities. By contrast, attacks against Christian farmers are most prevalent in north-central states such as Benue and Plateau, where violence is often linked to armed Fulani herders rather than explicitly jihadist groups. The strikes targeted IS elements, not herder militias."
Nigerian reactions to the Sokoto airstrikes against Islamic State (IS) are complex. Many opposed the stated rationale while welcoming the strikes. The airstrikes were presented as a response to alleged genocidal attacks on Christians, but Nigerian authorities reject that framing, arguing armed groups do not discriminate and Christians and Muslims largely coexist. Trump's redesignation of Nigeria as a country of particular concern intensified Muslim‑Christian tensions, with many northerners blaming southerners for inviting sanctions. Sokoto is an Islamic spiritual heartland where violence disproportionately affects Muslims, while attacks on Christian farmers are concentrated in north‑central states and often involve Fulani herders. The strikes targeted IS elements rather than herder militias, creating a mismatch between justification and operational targets and raising doubts about external understanding of local drivers. Despite confusion, the strikes received broad cross‑community support.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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