Based on an analysis of 818 posts by Miqrab AI, the dominant narrative on X / Twitter in Iraq on December 10, 2024, revolves around the dramatic collapse of the Assad regime in Syria and its immediate repercussions. Discussions are intensely focused on the new realities on the ground in Syria, including Israeli military advancements and acts of retribution against former regime figures, which has sparked a broader debate about regional power dynamics. This event has fueled widespread criticism of Iran’s “resistance project” and its allies in Iraq, with many accounts predicting a similar fate for the political establishment in Baghdad. Concurrent conversations include allegations surfacing against prominent Iraqi politicians like Nuri al-Maliki, official government announcements such as Baghdad being named the 2025 Arab Tourism Capital, and commemorations for Iraq’s Victory Day over ISIS.

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

1. Retribution in Syria After Assad’s Fall

The most engaging topic centers on acts of retribution following the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, particularly the public execution of Talal Daqaq. Fadel Abu Ragheef (Post Impact: 100%) shared an image of a crowd gathering for the execution of a Syrian man named Talal, commenting that they gathered “as if they were attending a wedding.” Similarly, Hisham Ali (Post Impact: 4%) reported on the capture of Daqaq in Hama, accusing him of feeding protestors to lions after torturing them. Mustafa al-Dulaimi (Post Impact: 3%) also noted the preparation of an execution platform for Daqaq, stating, “and give the killer the news of being killed.” The events are presented as a direct consequence of the regime’s collapse, with a focus on vengeance against figures associated with its brutality.

2. Criticism of Iran and its “Resistance Project”

The collapse of the Syrian government has triggered a wave of criticism against Iran and its regional allies. Faiq Al-Sheikh Ali/My Word for History (Post Impact: 22%) directly addressed Iran, stating, “After all your spending, effort, arming, and training for the so-called (resistance project), it has been defeated… while the Arabs watch and laugh at you!” He accused Iran of destroying and stealing from Arab countries. Echoing a similar sentiment, Abu Azrael (Post Impact: 41%) claimed that the “Umayyads sold Syria to the Zionists and mercenaries,” expressing defiance by stating, “Iraq is for heroes and Iraqis.” Aayad Al Twfan (Post Impact: 12%) quoted the late Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Abdollahian, who allegedly wrote that losing Syria would mean “the end of the Iranian project founded by Imam Khomeini entirely.”

3. Scrutiny on Nuri al-Maliki’s Past and Future

Former Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki became a central figure of discussion due to allegations about his past and rumors about his future. Mahdi Majeed (Post Impact: 20%) claimed to have exclusive information that Maliki is suffering a health setback, suggesting this is a “prelude to his retirement from political work in Iraq” as part of an agreement to “liberate Iraq.” Separately, a document surfaced allegedly showing Maliki’s recruitment by Syrian intelligence in 1998. Ali Fadhil (Post Impact: 18%) shared a video referring to Maliki as a “Syrian Ba’athist agent.” Tamara Alkhazraji (Post Impact: 5%) and Othman al-Mukhtar (Post Impact: 5%) also shared the document, highlighting the widespread belief that Iraqi politicians have allegiances to foreign powers.

4. Faiq Al-Sheikh Ali’s Provocative Statements

Politician and commentator Faiq Al-Sheikh Ali generated significant engagement with a series of provocative and satirical posts. In one highly discussed post, Faiq Al-Sheikh Ali/My Word for History (Post Impact: 23%) sarcastically called for the establishment of a “New Ba’ath Party” and the revival of its old slogans, adding a note that anyone annoyed by the proposal would get “a hundred slaps with a shoe.” In another post, Faiq Al-Sheikh Ali/My Word for History (Post Impact: 22%) claimed that all Iraqi opposition figures who resided in Syria were agents of Syrian intelligence, stating emphatically, “All of them means all of them!” His commentary, often laden with sarcasm, aims to critique the current political class and its historical ties.

5. Israel’s Military Advance into Syria

Following the regime change in Syria, Israeli military movements toward Damascus became a major topic of discussion. Abbas Shamsuddin (Post Impact: 33%) sarcastically criticized Al Jazeera’s coverage, suggesting the channel was downplaying hundreds of Israeli raids by instead reporting on the calls to prayer at the Umayyad Mosque. Haidar (Post Impact: 4%) reported that the Israeli army was less than 20 kilometers from the Syrian capital after capturing several villages in the southern Damascus countryside. Similarly, David Yassin (Post Impact: 4%) announced that “the Israeli army has reached the outskirts of Damascus.” These posts reflect a mix of alarm, criticism of media coverage, and factual reporting on the rapidly changing military landscape.

6. Commemorations for Victory Day Over ISIS

Iraqi accounts widely commemorated the anniversary of Victory Day over ISIS, paying tribute to the sacrifices made during the war. Haidar (Post Impact: 12%) honored the memory of martyr Abu Tahsin al-Salhi, known as the “Sheikh of Snipers,” as one of the “makers of the great Iraqi victory.” Muna Sami (Post Impact: 10%) posted a simple but powerful message: “He who fought us, was burned by us. #Victory_Day.” Political figures also weighed in, with Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani (Post Impact: 11%) stating that the stability achieved through the great victory over terrorism was essential for improving Iraq’s external image.

7. Baghdad Named 2025 Arab Tourism Capital

Positive news emerged as several accounts celebrated the selection of Baghdad as the Arab Tourism Capital for 2025. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani (Post Impact: 11%) congratulated all Iraqis on the announcement by the Arab Tourism Organization and affirmed his government’s commitment to upgrading infrastructure to a level befitting the capital. The news was also shared by prominent figures like Ammar Al-Hakim (Post Impact: 3%), who urged authorities to support the decision with tangible actions to improve the city’s services and heritage sites, and by the account Haidar (Post Impact: 4%).

8. Predictions of Political Change in Iraq

The swift fall of the Assad regime has led many commentators to predict a similar political upheaval in Iraq. Mulla Aboud Al-Karkhi (Post Impact: 6%) predicted that “Baghdad will wake up to what Damascus woke up to sooner rather than later,” adding that the winds that swept away the “Pharaoh of Damascus” will also uproot “Iran’s pharaohs in Baghdad.” In a similar vein, Sheikh Thaer al-Bayati (Post Impact: 5%) declared that “Iran’s contract and its militias have ended,” and that the next stage involves “cleaning Iraq of Iran’s tools.” These posts suggest a growing sentiment that the political order in Iraq, perceived as closely tied to Iran, is now vulnerable.

9. Iranian Warnings of Renewed ISIS Threat

In response to the shifting regional dynamics, pro-Iranian accounts and their allies shared warnings about a potential resurgence of ISIS. Abbas Shamsuddin (Post Impact: 4%) relayed a statement from former IRGC commander Mohsen Rezaei, who claimed, “There is an American camp in northern Syria where 11,000 ISIS elements have been trained… it is possible they will attack Mosul or Tikrit in the coming months.” This warning was also circulated by Dr. Haidar al-Barzanji (Post Impact: 4%). This narrative frames regional instability as a precursor to renewed threats against Iraq, implicitly justifying the continued presence of armed factions.

10. Concerns Over Fleeing Syrian Military

The collapse of the Syrian army and the flight of its soldiers toward Iraq raised concerns about border security and the implications for Iraq. Sheikh Thaer al-Bayati (Post Impact: 11%) shared a video of fleeing Syrian soldiers and commented, “If the army were patriotic, it would not have fled from the people,” delivering a message to the Iraqi army that its duty is to protect the nation, not the regime. This sentiment was accompanied by reports of increased security measures on the Iraqi side of the border, as shared by Haidar (Post Impact: 9%), who posted about Iraq reinforcing its border fortifications with Syria.