Tag: Christian Terrorism

US has eliminated hundreds of ISIS militants in Nigeria: Hegseth

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Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said U.S. forces have killed “hundreds” of Islamic State militants in Nigeria, crediting President Donald Trump’s directive to protect Christians in the country from Islamist violence. During a Cabinet meeting at the White House on Wednesday, Hegseth said Trump charged the military with taking steps to protect Nigerian Christians roughly a year ago after learning of their targeting by the Islamic State terror group. Building the partnerships necessary to carry out such a mission took time, the secretary said, but the president remained persistent, and the right assets were eventually put in place.

“And over the last month, and there hasn’t been much coverage of this, we killed ISIS No. 2 in Nigeria, who is most responsible for killing Christians and trying to target the U.S. homeland, and have since because of the intel we gathered, killed hundreds of ISIS members who were targeting and killing Christians in Nigeria, creating a whole new opportunity there,” he said.  The most significant action came on May 16, when U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) announced that U.S. forces had conducted an operation against Islamic State (also known as ISIS or IS) elements in northeastern Nigeria.  AFRICOM’s initial assessment found that Abu-Bilal al-Minuk, whom Hegseth identified as the group’s No. 2 commander and director of global operations, had been killed along with other senior Islamic State leaders. No U.S. service members were harmed. AFRICOM commander Air Force Gen. Dagvin Anderson said the operation was made possible through U.S.-Nigeria cooperation over recent months.

“Make no mistake, our two nations will relentlessly pursue and neutralize terrorist threats and are committed to protecting our people and interests,” Anderson said. Africa Command, in coordination with the Nigerian government, conducted additional strikes against Islamic State targets in Northeastern Nigeria on May 17 and 18. 

Source: US has eliminated hundreds of ISIS militants in Nigeria: Hegseth | Politics

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9

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3 Pastors Killed Returning from Peace Conference

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Three tribal church pastors from the Thadou Baptist Association (TBA) of India were killed, and four others were injured in an armed ambush on May 13 in Kangpokpi district of Manipur. Roughly 10 armed men used automatic weapons to shoot two vehicles carrying the church leaders as they returned from a peace and reconciliation conference in Churachandpur. The murders triggered a wave of retaliatory abductions and hostage-taking between rival armed groups across several districts, fracturing the already fragile atmosphere. The incident caused immediate panic and deep outrage across tribal communities statewide, sparking spontaneous protests and highway blockades.

The Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) and the Kuki Organization for Human Rights Trust (KOHUR) alleged the involvement of the Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF), specifically the Kamson faction, possibly in coordination with valley-based insurgent groups in the ambush and killings. Rev. Dr. Sitlhou was a prominent advocate for peace, having recently led a delegation to Nagaland to broker reconciliation between the Kuki and Tangkhul Naga communities. He was a notable bridge-builder working on dialogues between the two. Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh has condemned the incident and urged swift justice. Singh condemned the ambush as a “senseless act of violence” and promised full state resources to bring the perpetrators to justice. The chief ministers of Nagaland, Meghalaya, and Mizoram similarly expressed deep outrage.

Hostages Released Manipur’s conflict landscape involves three major ethnic groups: the Meiteis, the Nagas, and the Kuki-Zo communities. These groups largely live in separate geographical belts and pockets where each forms a local majority. The killing occurred amid persistent tensions between Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities following the ethnic violence that broke out on May 3, 2023. “What began over issues of Scheduled Tribe status, land rights, forest governance, and demographic concerns has now expanded into a dangerous triangular confrontation involving Meiteis, Kuki-Zo, and Nagas,” John Dayal, a noted human rights activist, stated in media reports.

Following the pastors’ deaths, heavily armed factions — largely aligned with Kuki-Zo and Naga groups — began detaining civilians from opposing tribal factions in the Kangpokpi and Senapati districts. State officials reported that as many as 38 civilians, including women and other religious figures, were taken hostage by rival militias in retaliation and moved to undisclosed locations. The crisis sparked widespread fears of civil war. To prevent further deterioration, Manipur government officials, security forces, and church leaders initiated emergency negotiations.

Source: 3 Pastors Killed Returning from Peace Conference – International Christian Concern

By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised.
Hebrews 11:11

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