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U.S. Congressman Riley Moore has called for increased American military support in Nigeria after the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) explicitly declared Christians “legitimate targets.”
The ISIS linked ISWAP released an image of one of the Christian villages in Adamawa State burning, alongside a statement saying that all Christians in Nigeria are legitimate targets, and they have an opportunity to "spare their blood" by converting to Islam or paying the jizyah tax to ISWAP.
Moore said that if there were any remaining doubts about the persecution of Christians in Nigeria, this latest development “should end that debate,” insisting the violence is driven by religion rather than disputes over land or climate policy.
He accused ISWAP of seeking to force conversions and praised ongoing cooperation between the United States and the Nigerian government to counter extremist attacks.
ISWAP has escalated attacks in northeastern Nigeria, burning villages, destroying churches and homes, and issuing statements that residents could “spare their blood” only by converting to Islam or paying the protection tax, jizyah. Reports indicate at least one village suffered significant loss of life, including over 100 homes destroyed.
Moore highlighted recent U.S.-backed airstrikes on ISIS-linked camps as part of efforts to protect civilians and degrade extremist operations, emphasizing continued cooperation between U.S. and Nigerian forces
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