The United States has deployed additional troops and military equipment to Nigeria to assist in the fight against Islamic State (IS) militants in West Africa. Currently, around 300 U.S. personnel are stationed in the country, supporting Nigerian forces in counterterrorism operations.
Nigeria, covering an area of 923,769 square kilometers, has a population of approximately 234.7 million. Muslims make up 53.5% of the population, Christians 45.9%, with the remainder adhering to other religions.
Nearly a decade ago, armed IS factions began emerging in Nigeria. Over the past ten years, these militants have carried out robberies, killings, bombings, kidnappings for ransom, and the abduction of women for sexual enslavement, terrorizing both Muslim and Christian communities alike.
In response, the Nigerian military has been engaged in operations to neutralize these armed groups. However, despite years of effort, the army has struggled to achieve significant success, suffering numerous casualties in the process.
In December, the Nigerian government formally requested U.S. assistance to strengthen counter-IS operations. Washington agreed, deploying 200 troops to Nigeria earlier this February, followed by an additional 100 soldiers on Monday to expand the mission.
The move underscores ongoing international cooperation aimed at stabilizing Nigeria and curbing the persistent threat of IS militants in the region.
Source: Reuters.