With Airstrikes in Nigeria, Trump Draws U.S. Into Long-Running Conflict

While former U.S. President Donald Trump said the strikes were carried out to protect Christians, security analysts note that ongoing violence in Nigeria—particularly by Islamist militant groups—has affected both Christian and Muslim communities.

Senior Nigerian officials said on Friday that recent U.S. airstrikes targeting what Trump described as “ISIS terrorist scum” could signal the beginning of a broader military campaign against militant groups operating in the country.

However, analysts have cautioned that the Trump administration may be entering a deeply complex and protracted conflict. Nigeria’s security crisis, they argue, is rooted in decades of political, economic, and social challenges, and any foreign intervention risks unintended consequences if not guided by a full understanding of the local dynamics.

Experts also emphasize that militant violence in Nigeria is multifaceted, involving various armed groups with differing motivations, and that civilian populations—regardless of religious affiliation—remain the primary victims.