NEW DELHI: The United States carried out an airstrike targeting Islamic State militants in northwestern Nigeria at the request of the Nigerian government, according to statements from President Donald Trump and the US military. 

US officials said the group had been attacking Christian communities in the area, as per media reports.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he authorized the strike as commander in chief, describing it as a decisive action against ISIS fighters whom he accused of killing large numbers of civilians, particularly Christians.

US Africa Command said the operation took place in Nigeria’s Sokoto state in coordination with Nigerian authorities and resulted in the deaths of several ISIS militants. The command initially stated on X that the strike was conducted at Nigeria’s request, though that post was later taken down.

The operation follows comments Trump made in late October warning that Christianity was under serious threat in Nigeria and suggesting the US could intervene militarily if violence against Christian communities continued.

Earlier this week, Reuters reported that the United States had been flying intelligence-gathering missions over much of Nigeria since late November.