Trump calls Nigeria airstrikes a 'Christmas present' to Daesh militants

US President Donald Trump has described recent American airstrikes against Daesh (ISIS) targets in Nigeria as a deliberate "Christmas present" to the terrorist organization. In a radio interview on Friday, Trump revealed he specifically ordered the attack to occur on Christmas Day for its symbolic value, claiming the militants were caught off guard and decisively hit.

Details of the Nigeria Operation

Trump stated on WABC radio that "tens of thousands of Christians" are being killed in Nigeria and that he had warned the Nigerian government of consequences. "I said yesterday, 'Hit them on Christmas Day. It will be a Christmas present,'" he explained, adding that Daesh targets "really got hit hard" and that "every camp got decimated." The strikes, confirmed by US Africa Command (AFRICOM), were conducted "at the request of Nigerian authorities" in Sokoto State on Thursday, resulting in multiple Daesh casualties. Nigeria later acknowledged its ongoing security collaboration with the United States.

Claims of Action in Venezuela

In the same interview, Trump alluded to another recent US military operation, claiming forces struck "a big plant or a big facility ... where the ships come from" two nights earlier, though he provided no specific location. He suggested the target was in Venezuela, aligning with a heightened US military and diplomatic campaign against Caracas that includes a naval blockade, vessel seizures, and deployments near Venezuelan waters—actions condemned by Venezuela as "international piracy." Trump dismissed criticism of the strikes as politically motivated, asserting Democrats opposed them only because he authorized them.

Broader Context of US Military Campaigns

These statements underscore an expansion of US military engagements under the Trump administration, from counter-terrorism in West Africa to intensified operations in the Caribbean aimed at narcotics trafficking. The approach blends direct action with strong rhetorical framing, as seen in the "Christmas present" characterization. Türkiye, a committed member of the global coalition against Daesh, supports international efforts to eradicate terrorism but consistently emphasizes that such actions must respect national sovereignty, international law, and prioritize the protection of all civilian lives.