The Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) has issued a statement in response to U.S. President Donald Trump concerning potential military operations against the group and other terrorists in Nigeria.
In a propaganda message disseminated through its standard communication channels, ISWAP characterized Trump as a "reckless American tyrant."
The group alleged that Trump was influenced by "evangelical Christian and Jewish advisers" during his administration and contended that his remarks indicated an effort by the United States to position itself as a "global defender of Christians."
Furthermore, ISWAP asserted that such rhetoric could lead the United States into conflicts in other nations, including the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mozambique, where militant activities have resulted in significant casualties.
The group claimed that this trend aligns with the broader strategy of the Islamic State movement to extend the U.S. military presence across multiple conflict zones.
ISWAP identified battlefields in Iraq, Syria, Somalia, Afghanistan, and the Lake Chad Basin as regions where it believes the Washington government could become overstretched should it choose to engage militarily.
In addition, the group provided guidance to its operatives, advising them to avoid large assemblies, limit movement, and minimize the use of smartphones, citing the increased likelihood of U.S. surveillance and drone operations. This warning was also extended to other affiliates of the Islamic State worldwide.
In its statement, the group called upon Muslims in West Africa to "unite" and regard the purported U.S. threat with seriousness, condemning what it characterized as "crimes against African Muslims" perpetrated by the West.