The following report is now a complimentary offering from MEMRI's Jihad and Terrorism Threat Monitor (JTTM). For JTTM subscription information, click here.
Historic fires continue to ravage the Los Angeles area in California, displacing countless people and wreaking widespread destruction from the ocean to the mountains, including in built-up areas. Commenting on news coverage of the wildfires, outlets affiliated with Iran-backed militias in Iraq celebrated the incident using hashtag #America is Burning.
Salafi jihadis, including Al-Qaeda and Islamic State supporters, also celebrated the wildfires as one of Allah's soldiers and retribution for U.S. support for Israel and its "war on Islam and Muslims." Several shared videos and photos, accompanied by Quranic verses about Allah's "wrath against transgressors."
A senior member of Ansar Allah Houthi movement mocked President-elect Trump's statement about freeing hostages in Gaza, saying: "'This is the hell Trump promised."
Pro-ISIS Writer: Divine Punishment For U.S. Support For Israel "To Burn Palestine"
On January 9, 2025, a pro-ISIS outlet published commentary by a prominent ISIS supporter, titled: "Wildfires Devour American State of California, Causing the Ruling Gang Billions in Losses."
The author wrote: "They supported the Jews with all their weapons to burn Palestine. They allocated funds, capabilities, and equipment to destroy Muslim countries. They persisted in their aggression, and boasted, arrogantly: 'Who is stronger than us?' Subsequently, punishment came to them from directions they did not perceive."
After describing the wildfires as a "soldier of Almighty Allah," sufficient to remind the "servants of Satan" that they are but "insects before the wrath of Allah, The Avenger!" the author added: "Then you want us to abandon His worship to worship you, and abandon His only true religion for your debased, man-made religions? Why?! So that His wrath may descend upon us as it descended upon you, for example?!"
The piece concluded gleefully: "May Allah increase your losses and calamities, and keep you distracted you from Muslims with yourselves."[1]
An ISIS supporter on Telegram shared a photo from space of areas in Los Angeles County engulfed in flames, and wrote: "America is burning, May Allah increase His blessings."[2]
Pro-Al-Qaeda Media Group: "Feast Your Eyes On America Burning"
On January 9, a pro-Al-Qaeda media group on Telegram shared mainstream media videos of wildfires in California. Titled: "America and Its War on Islam," it commented: "Feast your eyes, our people in Palestine, our people in Gaza…Feast your eyes on America burning. This is Allah's revenge on those who supply your enemy with missiles that kill you." The post further states that this is what befell "tyrannical, arrogant America."[3]
Houthi Politburo Member: "Is This The Hell Trump Threatened?"
On January 8, a member of the Ansar Allah Houthi Political Bureau shared video footage on his X account of the Los Angeles wildfires, which were still raging. Referencing a recent statement in which President-elect Trump said that if the Israeli hostages held in Gaza were not freed by the time he takes office on January 20, "all hell will break out." The user mockingly commented: "Is this the hell Trump threatened?"[4]
Iran-Backed Outlet: "Now, In Accordance With The Heavenly Clock, America Is Burning"
On January 8, a Telegram channel affiliated with Iran-backed militias in Iraq shared a post depicting a building in flames, and an image of Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis, deputy leader of Iraqi Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), who was killed in a January 2020 U.S. airstrike in Baghdad. The post showed Al-Muhandis looking at his wristwatch, with text reading: "Now, in accordance with the heavenly clock, America is burning."[5]
Hamas Supporter: "Los Angeles Did Not Require Many Destructive GBU-31 Bombs"
On January 9, a supporter of Hamas and the Syrian jihadi group Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) posted side-by-side photos comparing the aftermath of the Israeli military campaign in Jabaliya in the Gaza Strip, and areas of Los Angeles following the ravaging wildfires.
He wrote: "Los Angeles did not require many of the destructive GBU-31 bombs that Washington supplies to Israel, but Allah's command came to it, and that is enough." Citing a verse from the Quran, he added: "America is burning with the power of Allah...The hell Trump promised Gaza, Palestine, and the Middle East devours the American city of Los Angeles."[6]
Iran-Backed Outlet: "This is Real Hellfire"
A Telegram channel supportive of the Iran-backed "Axis of Resistance," published commentary, using the hashtag #America is burning. The post read: "This is real hellfire. Trump said he will turn the Middle East into hell, while they are incapable of putting off the raging wildfires, as their losses reached billions of dollars in less than 24 hours."[7]
Additionally, the channel shared a poster, showing President-elect Trump holding a U.S. flag and screaming. The caption on the poster reads: "Real hell."[8]
.jpg)