Trump warns of possible further U.S. strikes in Nigeria over attacks on Christians

President Donald Trump said there could be additional U.S. military strikes in Nigeria if Christians continue to be killed, in remarks published by the New York Times on Thursday. He made the comments in reference to a Christmas Day strike against Islamic State militants in northwest Nigeria, which Washington said was carried out at the request of the Nigerian government.

Trump stated he would prefer a one-time strike but warned of repeated action if violence against Christians continues, adding that while Muslims are also being killed, “it’s mostly Christians.”

Nigeria, which has a population roughly evenly divided between Christians in the south and Muslims in the north, has consistently denied that Christians face systematic persecution. Authorities have said past U.S. strikes target militants and emphasised that both Muslims and Christians have suffered from attacks.