US Military strikes ISIS
More details have emerged on the syndicated United States of America aerial strikes on north western Nigeria targeting terror groups hibernating in the area as relayed by US military sources who confirmed that the strikes were launched from a ship.
The US Defence Department has released video of a missile launched from a ship showing extent of impact on the terror camps, reports Political Economist NG.
The U.S. Africa Command, AFRICOM, says that it conducted the strike in Sokoto state, which borders Niger to the north. It adds that it was done in coordination with Nigerian authorities, reports CNN.
An initial assessment by multiple AFRICOM sources confirmed that many ISIS terrorists were killed in the ISIS camps which was their original target.
Political Economist NG recalls that the US President who said he instigated the attack on ISIS had barely two months ago said he would not tolerate the persecutions of Christians in Nigeria.
Trump posted his concern on social media. “I’ve previously warned these terrorists that if they did not stop the slaughtering of Christians, there would be hell to pay. And tonight, there was. Now, of course, we should note that Muslims have been the target of militant attacks as well.”
Political Economist NG reports that the coordinated attacks which hit on Christmas Day has triggered reactions from Nigeria, with persons sympathetic of the terrorists cursing the US and Trump
CNN military analyst and retired U.S. Air Force Colonel, Cedric Leighton, has expanded the after-strike debate, saying that this strike alone may not be enough of a difference to curb sectarian violence.
He said on CNN: “The way most of these strikes work is that they need to be part of a larger campaign. And what we’re not seeing here is that larger campaign. So, I think it could disrupt ISIS operations in the short term. But the long-term issues that surround violence in Nigeria are extremely complex.
