Is the US deepening its military involvement in Nigeria?
Key takeaways
- Airstrikes in Nigeria led by the US have weakened the so-called Islamic State (IS) terror group.
- https://p.dw.com/p/5E4k YUS troops in Nigeria are primarily there to train Nigerian soldiers in counterterrorism and provide support with intelligence Image: James Sheehan/U.S.
- DW reporter Jamiu Abiodun Sulaiman says that "seeing the United States with its military might, spotlighting the Islamic State in the north, is a welcome development.
Why this matters: an international story with cross-border implications worth tracking.
Airstrikes in Nigeria led by the US have weakened the so-called Islamic State (IS) terror group. The joint operation shows an expanding US role, but analysts warn of limited long‑term impact and civilian risks.
https://p.dw.com/p/5E4k YUS troops in Nigeria are primarily there to train Nigerian soldiers in counterterrorism and provide support with intelligence Image: James Sheehan/U.S. Army/REUTERSAdvertisement Joint airstrikes by the US and Nigeria have killed at least 175 fighters of the so-called Islamic State (IS) terror group in Nigeria's northeast. The jihadist group's global second-in-command was among those killed, according to the US Africa Command (AFRICOM). Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu was quick to thank US President Donald Trump for his leadership and unwavering support, saying he looked forward to more such "decisive strikes against terrorist enclaves."
AFRICOM commander General Dagvin Anderson told a Congressional hearing in Washington that Nigeria had been "instrumental throughout the last several months, developing the target, helping us with the intelligence, and providing support" as per the remit of the cooperation between the two countries, which dates back almost 20 years.