Based on a Miqrab AI analysis of 504 X / Twitter posts trending in Iraq on December 22, 2025, the dominant narrative revolves around the decision by several Iraqi armed factions to disarm. This development has triggered a wave of mockery and sharp criticism from commentators who view it as a capitulation to American pressure, while supporters of the factions frame it as a strategic move to strengthen the Iraqi state. Accompanying this main story are reports of internal divisions among the militias, with some factions reportedly refusing to disarm, and speculation that the decision was prompted by a recent military strike in Jurf al-Sakhr. Other significant conversations include ongoing violent clashes in Aleppo, Syria, analysis of a broader regional trend toward dismantling non-state armed groups, and domestic political maneuvering by the ruling Coordination Framework in response to the disarmament issue.

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

1. Widespread Mockery Over Militia Disarmament Decision

The decision by some Iraqi armed factions to disarm has been met with widespread ridicule and sharp criticism across Iraqi X/Twitter, with many commentators framing it as a humiliating surrender. Faig Alsheakh / My Word for History (Post Impact: 35%) called the move illogical, stating, “How weak, shallow, trivial, and dirty are you?!” He described the situation as a “shameful defeat for false and deceptive slogans.” Similarly, Rusly Al-Maliki (Post Impact: 13%) sarcastically questioned the factions’ complaints of being “bullied” after years of threatening the US and Israel. Adding to the mockery, Emad Bajalan (Post Impact: 14%) contrasted the Sadrist “Boycotters” campaign with the militias’ new “Disarmers” campaign. Hiba Alnnayib (Post Impact: 12%) listed the factions’ perceived failures, questioning their identity as a resistance movement.

2. Internal Divisions and Refusal to Disarm Reported

Amid news of disarmament, several posts highlight deep divisions and outright refusal to comply among certain factions. Steven Nabil (Post Impact: 14%) reports that Kata’ib Hezbollah is “very angry” with Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq leader Qais Khazali, accusing him and other leaders of a “coup.” Nabil later added that Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq is refusing to hand over its weapons (Post Impact: 10%). This refusal was echoed by a statement from the group’s military spokesman, cited by Shaho Al-Qaradaghi (Post Impact: 4%), who declared, “There is no place in our dictionary for handing over weapons or giving up resistance.” In a video post, Abu Azrael (Post Impact: 26%) also asserted that the Popular Mobilization Forces would not disarm.

3. US Pressure and Envoy Mark Savaya Cited as Cause

The disarmament decision is being widely attributed to direct pressure from the United States and President Trump’s envoy, Mark Savaya. Aayad Al Twfan (Post Impact: 8%) spoke of “terrifying and frightening messages” sent by the US and questioned the American conditions for disarmament. Multiple accounts, including Tamara Alkhazraji (Post Impact: 6%) and Shaho Al-Qaradaghi (Post Impact: 5%), quoted Savaya’s ultimatum: “Disarmament must be comprehensive, binding, and irreversible.” In response, Wasan Al-Shaikhli (Post Impact: 9%) criticized the Iraqi government for allowing Savaya to interfere so heavily in the country’s internal affairs and suggested he be declared persona non grata.

4. Jurf al-Sakhr Strike Linked to Disarmament

A key narrative emerging on X/Twitter connects the factions’ decision to disarm with a recent military operation in the Jurf al-Sakhr area. Rusly Al-Maliki (Post Impact: 14%) shared a “dangerous” report about the potential “assassination of a PMF leader (Abu Ali Al-Atbi)” in Jurf al-Sakhr just two days before the disarmament announcements began. This timeline is supported by Aayad Al Twfan (Post Impact: 8%), who explicitly referenced a “military operation carried out by Israeli aviation in Jurf al-Sakhr on the night of the 20th of this month” as a precursor to the US demands. These posts suggest the strike was a critical catalyst that forced the factions’ hand.

5. Pro-Militia Accounts Justify Disarmament

Supporters of the armed factions are defending the disarmament decision, framing it not as a surrender but as a strategic move to strengthen the Iraqi state. Dr. Hussein Al-Safi (Post Impact: 12%) argued that since the original purposes for the factions—fighting occupiers and ISIS—are no longer present, the Shia have made a “very big decision” to “be strong within the state.” Essam Hussein (Post Impact: 5%) elaborated that this is not a “handover” but a “sovereign military decision,” pointing out that the factions and the PMF now control the state with 97 parliamentary seats. Similarly, Mahmoud Al-Rubaie (Post Impact: 3%) stated the move aligns with guidance from the religious authority and is intended to consolidate state power and cut off pretexts for foreign interference.

6. Intense Clashes Reported in Aleppo, Syria

Several accounts are reporting on and sharing footage of intense fighting in Aleppo, Syria, between Kurdish forces (SDF/QSD) and factions led by Abu Mohammad al-Jolani (Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham). Haidar (Post Impact: 7%) noted that the “fierce battles” erupted hours after Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan’s departure from Damascus. Sufian Al-Samarrai (Post Impact: 6%) claimed that Jolani’s forces are shelling the populace with tanks and artillery. In a more analytical post, Liqaa Maki (Post Impact: 9%) described the confrontations as “expected, but still limited,” suggesting that a part of the SDF is provoking the Syrian government to undermine a previous agreement.

7. Disarmament Viewed as a Broader Regional Trend

Political analysts are contextualizing the disarmament of Iraqi militias as part of a wider international effort to eliminate non-state armed groups across the Middle East. Rusly Al-Maliki (Post Impact: 9%) argues that the “international community wants the Middle East to get rid of particulates and return to wholes,” meaning a return to dealing with formal states. He cites the weakening of Hamas, pressure on Hezbollah, and the dismantling of ISIS and the PKK as examples, concluding with the stark declaration, “No more militias.” Dr. Yahya Al-Kubaisi (Post Impact: 7%) concurs, stating that any attempts to distinguish between “militias” and the “Popular Mobilization Forces” are “laughable” and that the only solution is the complete dismantling of the PMF.

8. Criticism of Politicians for Abandoning Principles

Commentators are using the current events to launch broader critiques of Iraqi politicians for betraying their publicly stated principles for political and personal gain. Ahmad Abdul Sada (Post Impact: 8%) delivered a detailed rebuke of leaders who build their entire political narrative on “resistance” only to abandon it and partner with corrupt figures once in power, arguing this is about “brokerage, not politics.” This sentiment was echoed by Faig Alsheakh / My Word for History (Post Impact: 35%), who derided the factions for building their rule on “the thesis of resistance… and enmity to the United States and Israel” for decades, only to become “naked with just a tweet.”

9. Coordination Framework Navigates Disarmament Issue

Iraq’s ruling Shia coalition, the Coordination Framework, is reportedly working to manage the political fallout from the disarmament decision. Ali Farhan ali farhan (Post Impact: 5%) and Haidar (Post Impact: 4%) both posted a statement from the Framework affirming its “firm position in support of restricting weapons to the state.” However, Nazar Haidar (Post Impact: 3%) provided a more cynical take, claiming sources say the Framework is preparing to praise the move to appease the Trump administration, but that the U.S. demand is for the “complete dismantling” of the militias, rendering the Framework’s efforts a “failed attempt.”

10. Defense of PMF and Backlash Against Critics

Amid the wave of criticism, some voices have emerged to defend the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) and attack media figures covering the disarmament. Dr. Laith Shubbar (Post Impact: 7%) announced that he would “stand with every national voice that defends Iraq” and rejected US interference regarding the PMF, crediting them with defending the country. He specifically called out “extremist voices” and media personalities like “Steven Nabil and Rusly Al-Maliki,” promising to “expose other names soon.” In a similar vein, Wessam Aziz (Post Impact: 4%) insisted that the “resistance’s weapon” will remain in their hands, directed at “the chests of America’s and Israel’s soldiers,” and is a tool for building the state.