The United States conducted airstrikes on Islamic State militants in Sokoto State, Nigeria, on Christmas Day, in coordination with Nigerian authorities. President Donald Trump announced the strikes on Truth Social, declaring them a "powerful and deadly" response to ISIS attacks on Christians, which he claimed had reached levels not seen for many years or even centuries.

The U.S. military’s Africa Command confirmed the operation, and War Secretary Pete Hegseth said the U.S. was "always ready" and warned of more strikes to come.

The strikes targeted camps of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria’s West Africa Province (ISIS Sahel Province), known locally as ‘Lakurawa’, in Sokoto State near the border with Niger. The U.S. military stated the operation was conducted in coordination with Nigerian authorities, with intelligence provided by Nigeria.

While initial assessments suggest multiple militant fatalities, casualty numbers remain unclear. The U.S. War Department confirmed the strikes were carried out at the request of Nigerian authorities, though an earlier statement on X was later removed.

Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar described the operation as a "joint operation" with "nothing to do with a particular religion" and confirmed it had been planned for some time. The timing of the strikes, on Christmas Day, was not linked to the holiday by Nigerian officials.

The operation follows a series of violent attacks on Christian communities in Nigeria, including a recent mosque bombing in Borno that killed five and injured over 30. Trump has previously threatened military intervention in Nigeria, accusing the government of failing to protect Christians, and has taken steps such as adding Nigeria to a religious freedom violations list and a travel ban list. The U.S. has also implemented a new visa restriction policy targeting individuals involved in religious violence.

"Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS Terrorist Scum in Northwest Nigeria, who have been targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians, at levels not seen for many years, and even Centuries!" Trump announced on Truth Social. "I have previously warned these Terrorists that if they did not stop the slaughtering of Christians, there would be hell to pay, and tonight, there was. The Department of War executed numerous perfect strikes, as only the United States is capable of doing. Under my leadership, our Country will not allow Radical Islamic Terrorism to prosper. May God Bless our Military, and MERRY CHRISTMAS to all, including the dead Terrorists, of which there will be many more if their slaughter of Christians continues."

Hegseth on his part said: "The President was clear last month: the killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria (and elsewhere) must end. The @DeptofWar is always ready, so ISIS found out tonight — on Christmas. More to come … Grateful for Nigerian government support & cooperation. Merry Christmas!"

The U.S. State Department, under Secretary of State Marco Rubio, has imposed visa restrictions barring five Europeans from entering the United States, accusing them of leading efforts to pressure American tech firms to censor or suppress American viewpoints online.

The move announced Tuesday, is part of a broader President Trump administration campaign against foreign influence over online speech, using immigration law rather than platform regulations or sanctions.

The targeted individuals include former European Union Commissioner Thierry Breton, leaders of German anti-hate group HateAid, and heads of organizations focused on so-called disinformation and digital hate

Breton, former EU Commissioner for Digital Affairs, was sanctioned for his role in enforcing the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), which has clashed with tech companies like Elon Musk’s X. He previously sent a letter to Musk demanding compliance with the DSA ahead of a Trump interview.

Imran Ahmed, CEO of the Centre for Countering Digital Hate, was targeted for his organization’s 2022 “Disinformation Dozen” report, which highlighted anti-vaccine figures including Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Clare Melford, CEO of the Global Disinformation Index, was sanctioned for allegedly using U.S. taxpayer funds to advocate for censorship and blacklisting of American speech.

Josephine Ballon and Anna-Lena von Hodenberg, leaders of HateAid, were sanctioned for their ostensible work combating so-called online hate and disinformation, with the group calling the U.S. actions an “authoritarian attack on free speech.”

The State Department cited these individuals as part of a “global censorship-industrial complex” that advances foreign government censorship campaigns targeting American speakers and companies.

The sanctions are based on a visa policy announced in May 2025 that restricts entry for foreigners deemed responsible for censorship of protected speech in the U.S. The Department of Homeland Security may initiate removal proceedings against those already in the country.

The move follows a broader trend of U.S. officials, including Vice President JD Vance, criticizing European nations for censorship, particularly over content related to the Covid-19 lab leak theory and other political topics.

The EU has not yet responded publicly to the sanctions, but European officials have expressed concern over the U.S. actions undermining European sovereignty.

The U.S. has also previously targeted visitors from certain African and Middle Eastern countries and the Palestinian Authority with similar visa restrictions.