Based on an analysis of 943 posts by Miqrab AI, X / Twitter conversations in Iraq on December 7, 2024, were overwhelmingly dominated by the rapidly escalating situation in Syria and its direct implications for Iraq. The primary narrative centers on the swift advance of Syrian opposition forces toward Damascus and the apparent collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime. This has triggered a polarized reaction among Iraqi users: some accounts celebrate the impending fall of Assad and the perceived decline of Iranian influence in the region, while others express grave concern, viewing the opposition as terrorist groups and fearing for the security of Shiite holy sites, particularly the Sayyidah Zaynab shrine. Concurrently, there is significant discussion about the security of the Iraqi-Syrian border, with reports of Syrian soldiers fleeing into Iraq, official Iraqi military deployments to the border, and calls from some Iraqi militia leaders for intervention in Syria to protect Iraq’s national security.

Today’s Top 10 X (Twitter) Trends in Iraq:

1. Syrian Regime Collapse and Opposition Advances

The most dominant story on Iraqi social media is the rapid collapse of the Syrian regime and the advance of opposition forces toward major cities like Homs and the capital, Damascus. Accounts expressed sharply divided reactions to the developments. Pro-Assad accounts, such as Hamid Al-Shaker (Post Impact: 71%), remained defiant, stating, “Bashar al-Assad will not fall, no matter how much the polytheists hate it,” blaming a coalition of Americans, Israelis, Saudis, and others. Abbas Al-Ardawi (Post Impact: 50%) shared an image of a flag raised in Homs, insisting it would never fall. In contrast, accounts like Abu Darndash Al-Askari (Post Impact: 100%) shared a video of a Libyan offering advice to Syria, reflecting a broader regional reaction. Many posts tracked the opposition’s progress, with Hydikm (Post Impact: 12%) noting they were 20 km from Damascus.

2. Fears for Sayyidah Zaynab Shrine in Damascus

A significant point of concern for many Iraqi users is the safety of the Sayyidah Zaynab shrine near Damascus as opposition forces advance. These accounts refer to the opposition as “terrorists” and express alarm over their proximity to the holy site. Hydikm (Post Impact: 41%) reported that “terrorists” were only 5 km away from the shrine of “our lady Zaynab.” Similarly, the account Ashwryalraq (Post Impact: 27%) stated that “takfiri groups” were 7 km from the shrine. These posts convey a sense of imminent danger to a site of major religious importance for Shiite Muslims and reflect fears of sectarian violence.

3. Waning Iranian Influence in the Region

The events in Syria are being interpreted by several prominent Iraqi commentators as a sign of declining Iranian influence across the Middle East. Political analyst Faiq Al-Sheikh Ali (Post Impact: 51%) claimed to have predicted two and a half years ago that “Iran’s influence in our countries will be eliminated in 2024,” adding that Iran itself was the only entity that believed his prediction. Journalist Steven Nabil (Post Impact: 14%) argued that “news of Iran’s decision to evacuate from Syria is a message to all its proxies in Iraq and other countries that Iran will ultimately abandon them for its own interests.” This narrative suggests a major geopolitical shift is underway, with Iran’s regional power weakening significantly.

4. Mockery of Calls for Iraqi Volunteers in Syria

The collapse of Syrian army positions has led to mockery directed at Iraqi militia leaders who had previously called for volunteers to fight in Syria. Prominent satirist Ahmed Albasheer (Post Impact: 46%) sarcastically inquired, “Folks, I don’t know what’s the news on the 100,000 volunteers of Abu Alaa?” This is a reference to Abu Alaa al-Wala’i, leader of Kata’ib Sayyid al-Shuhada, who had called for volunteers to defend the Syrian regime. Faiq Al-Sheikh Ali (Post Impact: 25%) also posted a mocking message aimed at Iraqi politician Naim al-Aboudi, telling him to “first heal your own wound, and then heal the wounds of others!”

5. Syrian Soldiers Retreating into Iraq

Multiple accounts reported on Syrian army forces withdrawing from their positions and crossing the border into Iraq. Hisham Ali (Post Impact: 27%) shared a video allegedly showing Syrian forces withdrawing into Iraq and handing over their weapons to the Iraqi Army at the al-Qa’im border crossing. Hydikm (Post Impact: 16%) reported that the Syrian soldiers who sought refuge in Iraq were being hosted by tribes in Anbar province, with sources suggesting they would be flown to Damascus. Steven Nabil (Post Impact: 14%) also reported on a new batch of Syrian soldiers entering Iraq through al-Qa’im.

6. Accusations of an Israeli-Led Conspiracy

Some Iraqi accounts claim that the Syrian regime’s collapse is not due to a popular uprising but rather a foreign conspiracy led by Israel. Dr. Hussein Al-Safi (Post Impact: 24%) alleged that Hama fell due to a compromised military communications system ordered from Tel Aviv, and that Israel bombed Syrian army positions in Homs. He asserted that the opposition forces are “mercenaries of the usurping entity” and that this is retaliation for Bashar al-Assad’s support for Gaza. Similarly, Shaho Al-Qaradaghi (Post Impact: 9%) quoted Badr Organization leader Hadi al-Amiri, who described the events as “a Turkish-Zionist conspiracy with an American blessing.”

7. Arrests in Samarra for Supporting Syrian Opposition

Reports emerged of Iraqi security forces cracking down on individuals expressing support for the Syrian opposition. Hassan Al-Kaabi (Post Impact: 20%) stated that Saraya al-Salam (the Peace Companies) is leading arrest campaigns in Samarra against activists who support “terrorism in Syria.” In contrast, Omar Al-Janabi (Post Impact: 18%) framed these actions as repressive, reporting that Saraya al-Salam, part of the Popular Mobilization Forces, is raiding homes and arresting anyone in Samarra who supports the Syrian opposition on social media, causing “a state of anxiety and panic among the residents.”

8. Iraqi Militia Leaders Call for Intervention in Syria

As the situation in Syria deteriorated for the Assad regime, some Iraqi militia leaders called for direct intervention. Shaho Al-Qaradaghi (Post Impact: 13%) shared a video of Hadi al-Amiri stating, “If our national security is threatened, we must enter to fight in Syria.” This sentiment was echoed by Abu Mzeal (Post Impact: 7%), who also quoted Al-Amiri’s call to action. These statements highlight the view among certain Iraqi factions that the events in Syria pose a direct threat that may require a military response from Iraq.

9. Iraqi Government Secures Border with Syria

In response to the instability in Syria, the Iraqi government has taken official steps to secure its western border. The official account of the Iraqi Ministry of Defense (Post Impact: 14%) announced that, following directives from the Minister of Defense and the Army Chief of Staff, the West Nineveh Operations Command began redeploying units from the 15th and 20th Infantry Divisions along the Iraqi-Syrian border. The statement specified that additional armored units arrived to reinforce the border guard forces from Rabia to Sinjar. This indicates a formal military response by the Iraqi state to prevent spillover from the conflict.

10. Calls to Execute Former PM Adel Abdul Mahdi

Amid the regional turmoil, old grievances against former Iraqi officials have resurfaced. Hisham Ali (Post Impact: 17%) shared a video of Aws al-Khafaji, leader of the Abu al-Fadl al-Abbas forces, accusing former Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi of committing the “crime of the century.” Al-Khafaji is quoted as saying, “If Saddam was executed on Eid al-Adha, then Abdul Mahdi should be executed on Laylat al-Qadr.” This call for execution resurfaces intense anger related to Abdul Mahdi’s tenure, particularly his handling of the 2019 Tishreen protests.