United States President Donald Trump has warned that Washington could carry out additional military strikes in Nigeria if killings linked to extremist violence continue.
Trump made the remarks in an interview with The New York Times published on Thursday, where he was asked whether the United States intended to expand its recent military action in the country.
Responding to questions on the December 25 airstrike against Islamic State militants in northwest Nigeria, Trump said he hoped the operation would be a one off action but suggested that further strikes could follow if violence persisted.
“I would love for it to be a one time strike, but if they continue to kill Christians, it will not be,” the US president said.
The Christmas Day strike, which Washington said was carried out at the request of the Nigerian government, targeted Islamic State affiliated fighters and attracted widespread international attention because of its timing.
Trump described the operation as a response to what he characterised as repeated attacks on Christians by extremist groups, a framing that has sparked debate over the nature and drivers of insecurity in Nigeria.
When asked about remarks by a senior US Africa adviser that extremist groups in Nigeria had killed more Muslims than Christians, Trump acknowledged that Muslims had also been victims of violence.
“I think Muslims are being killed too, but it is mostly Christians,” he said.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has consistently rejected claims of a targeted genocide, stressing that armed groups operate with criminal and ideological motives and attack communities regardless of religious identity.
Authorities have reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to working with international partners on counter terrorism while maintaining that violence against any group is unacceptable.
