The following report is now a complimentary offering from MEMRI's Jihad and Terrorism Threat Monitor (JTTM). For JTTM subscription information, click here.
Jihadis and Iran-axis supporters are proclaiming that the wildfires that have been ravaging the Los Angeles area, displacing thousands of people and wreaking widespread destruction, including in built-up areas, are punishment and revenge from Allah.
Drawing from religious texts, the wildfires were celebrated by people, including Salafi jihadis, and media outlets affiliated with Iran as one of "Allah's soldiers" sent to the U.S. for its "arrogance," its support of Israel, and its "war on Islam and Muslims."
On January 9, 2025, MEMRI released an initial report of reactions to the wildfires.[1] Following are samples of additional reactions.
Yemen's Houthis Share Cartoons Mocking U.S.
On January 10, 2025, a Telegram channel linked to Lebanese Hizbullah posted a cartoon mocking President Trump standing in front of a lectern with his back to the wildfires threatening that the "doors of hell will open" if the hostages in Gaza are not released by his inauguration on January 20. The cartoon was later shared by the official Telegram channel of Yemen's Ansar Allah (Houthi) Movement, along with the comment: "Trump and hell in California."
Shortly after, the Houthis shared a drawing by cartoonist Ali Al-Shara showing Uncle Sam using a flamethrower stamped with the Israeli flag on Gaza and looking in a panic at the California wildfire approaching behind him.
Iran-Backed Outlet: "Trump Threatened Gaza With Hell... Two Days Later, America Turned Into An Inferno"
A Telegram channel supportive of the Iran-backed axis of resistance, shared an infographic with images of wildfires and Trump's "hell" remark about hostages in Gaza. It reads in part: "Will the Middle East turn into hell?... Two days later, America [itself] turned into an inferno." The channel said that social media users had likened the level of devastation in Los Angeles to the destruction of homes, schools, and hospitals of Gaza.
Prolific Iraqi Militia-Linked Telegram Channel: "Indeed, It Is Allah's Command"
On January 10, a Telegram channel affiliated with the Iran-backed militias in Iraq shared footage of people in the fire-ravaged areas, and mocked how "women's handbags" are used to put the fire out, claiming that the firefighting department "had collapsed completely." "Indeed, it is Allah's command," the post declared.
Abu Qatadah Al-Filastini: "A Divine Gift To Welcome Trump"
On January 9, Jordan-based pro-Al-Qaeda ideologue Abu Qatadah Al-Filastini wrote commentary on his Telegram channel gleefully celebrating the California wildfires as reminder of Allah's "signs" to people. "A divine gift to welcome Trump for threatening Gaza," he stated.
Abu Qatadah further argued against the opinion that Muslims should not rejoice over enemies' calamities: "Calamities keep enemies preoccupied with themselves [and away] from harming Muslims," noting that forbidding such schadenfreude contradicts established religious texts and Quran citations on this matter.
Syrian Cleric: Wildfires Are Normal Acts Of Nature; Attention Should Rather Turn To Forthcoming Significant Political Developments In U.S. And Surroundings
On January 10, Syrian jihadi cleric Abu Yahya Al-Shami wrote on his Telegram channel: "The Los Angeles wildfires are a normal act of nature, do not pay much attention to it." Rather, he argued that "significant political developments are expected to occur in the United States and its surroundings, which will have a major global impact."
Canada-Based Cleric Laments Low Casualty Toll From Fires
Also on the same day, January 10, a pro-Al-Qaeda cleric based in the West shared an English report on the extent of damage due to the deadly wildfires in Los Angeles. He wrote: "Allah made them taste the exact torment they inflicted on Gaza. Even if human casualties are not high enough to heal the breasts of Believers, but renowned celebrities such as Harrison Ford and James Woods lost their homes! Praise be to Allah Almighty."
