2025-12-10: Commemorating “Victory Day” Over ISIS
Based on a Miqrab AI analysis of 544 trending X / Twitter posts in Iraq on December 10, 2025, the primary theme is the commemoration of “Victory Day” over ISIS, marked by deeply divided narratives over who deserves credit for the victory. While many accounts attribute the success to Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani’s religious edict and the subsequent mobilization of Shia-led forces, others highlight the crucial role of the official Iraqi Security Forces and criticize sectarian framing of the conflict. This division is further reflected in discussions about the current political landscape, with significant attention on former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s meeting with a US diplomat, which users interpreted through the lens of political maneuvering for the premiership. Additionally, conversations touched upon regional security, particularly Israeli aggression in Syria, and domestic news such as severe flooding in Anbar province.
Table Of Content
- 1. Commemorating “Victory Day” Over ISIS
- 2. Sectarian Debates Flare Over Victory Day Credit
- 3. Shia Role in Defending Palestine Highlighted
- 4. Cleric’s Encounter with Royal Guard Horse Goes Viral
- 5. Criticism of Israeli Aggression Against Syria
- 6. Nouri al-Maliki’s Meeting with US Diplomat Sparks Debate
- 7. Warnings of Impending Political Turmoil in Iraq
- 8. Heavy Rains Cause Major Flooding in Anbar
- 9. US Congress Threatens to Cut Iraqi Security Funding
- 10. Government Allegedly Issuing Passport for “Islamic Army” Leader
Today’s Top 10 X (Twitter) Trends in Iraq:
1. Commemorating “Victory Day” Over ISIS
Iraqi social media is dominated by posts commemorating the anniversary of the victory over ISIS, with varied perspectives on who was instrumental in the fight. Political and religious leaders like Qais al-Khazali (Post Impact: 100%) and Ammar Al-Hakim (Post Impact: 16%) paid tribute to the fighters and martyrs. Many accounts, including Ali Al-Muhandis (Post Impact: 44%), emphasized the pivotal role of Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani’s fatwa, stating, “If it weren’t for the fatwa of Sayyid Ali al-Sistani and those who answered this blessed fatwa, Iraq would have been lost.” Similarly, Dr. Hussein Al-Safi (Post Impact: 28%) argued that the fatwa thwarted a plan to install Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi as Iraq’s leader. Other users like Haydar (Post Impact: 52%) recalled the widespread solidarity from the Arab world with Iraq during its battle against the terrorist organization. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani (Post Impact: 10%) also issued a statement honoring the sacrifices made by all Iraqis.
2. Sectarian Debates Flare Over Victory Day Credit
Alongside celebrations of Victory Day, a sharp debate emerged over the sectarian nature of the conflict and the credit for victory. Faikh Al-Sheikh Ali (Post Impact: 31%) questioned the narrative by asking, “Were all the members of the Counter-Terrorism Service and the Federal Police Shia?!” This sentiment was echoed by Hiba Al-Nnayib (Post Impact: 13%), who presented a counter-narrative crediting the Iraqi Army, the International Coalition, and Sunni tribes, while accusing former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki of abandoning three provinces to ISIS. In contrast, Ahmad Abdulsada (Post Impact: 16%) framed the victory as a Shia achievement over a global Sunni extremist army. Adding to the division, Wasan Al-Sheikhli (Post Impact: 14%) observed a lack of celebration in Sunni areas, stating, “No Sunni blogger, no Sunni channel, no Sunni region is celebrating Victory Day. There’s a secret to this.”
3. Shia Role in Defending Palestine Highlighted
A prominent narrative emphasized the role of Shia Muslims in regional conflicts, particularly in defending Palestine. Najah Mohammed Ali (Post Impact: 48%) posted that for centuries, Shia were excommunicated for fighting against unjust sultans. He claimed that when Palestine was in need, those who condemned the Shia disappeared, while “the Shia emerged, offering their men, leaders, youth, and women in defense of Palestine.” He concluded that this is a historical fact that will not be forgotten and urged followers to share the post widely.
4. Cleric’s Encounter with Royal Guard Horse Goes Viral
A video clip showing a cleric’s interaction with a British Royal Guard horse gained significant traction. The post by Aayad Al Twfan – Aayad Al Twfan (Post Impact: 63%) described the horse, which is typically gentle with visitors, as reacting negatively to the cleric. The account interpreted the incident as the horse sensing the man’s character, stating it “felt the bad character, filth, deceit, and fraud of this cunning, deceptive cleric, so it refused to take a picture with him and knocked off his ((turban)), the accessory of deception and fraud, in a unique event.” The video shows the horse tossing its head and dislodging the man’s headwear as he attempts to pose for a photo.
5. Criticism of Israeli Aggression Against Syria
Discussions surrounding regional geopolitics focused on continued Israeli attacks on Syria. Ezzat Alshabandar (Post Impact: 46%) argued that the ongoing Israeli aggression proves the ineffectiveness of Iraq’s policy of “dissociation” and exposes the failure of international stances. He asserted that these events impose a “duty to stand with Syria in defending its sovereignty and reclaiming its occupied lands.” Other accounts, such as Haydar (Post Impact: 6%), shared clips of Syrian analysts discussing the situation, reflecting a broader concern over regional instability and the perceived need for a stronger, unified Arab response.
6. Nouri al-Maliki’s Meeting with US Diplomat Sparks Debate
A meeting between former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and the U.S. ChargĂ© d’Affaires in Baghdad generated significant commentary. The U.S. Embassy Baghdad (Post Impact: 6%) reported that the discussion centered on shared interests like Iraqi sovereignty and defeating terrorism. However, other accounts focused on the political implications. Haydar (Post Impact: 7%) and Shaho Al-Qaradaghi (Post Impact: 6%) highlighted Maliki’s statement expressing a desire for the next government to strengthen relations with the United States. Al-Qaradaghi pointed out the perceived hypocrisy, stating, “Maliki is one of the politicians most keen on strengthening relations with America, while his supporters accuse all his opponents of being American agents!!”
7. Warnings of Impending Political Turmoil in Iraq
A sense of foreboding about Iraq’s political future was conveyed in a series of cryptic posts. Rusly Al-Maliki (Post Impact: 29%) wrote, “I smell a huge internal event; when it happens, mourners will wail… They will fight over the dishes, they have prepared well for this night.” The post suggests a power struggle is imminent following the departure of a major political figure. A subsequent post from the same account (Post Impact: 11%) continued this theme, warning that the current leadership is establishing a dictatorship and is blind to the consequences of its actions.
8. Heavy Rains Cause Major Flooding in Anbar
Several accounts shared dramatic footage of flooding in the western desert of Anbar province following a recent wave of heavy rain. _. suhair Al_jumaili (Post Impact: 16%) posted a video of torrents crossing the Iraqi border from Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Syria, flowing into Wadi Hauran. Similarly, Haydar (Post Impact: 15%) shared a clip showing the desert landscape transformed by waterfalls and rivers, specifically in the Wadi al-Mashhad area. The posts documented a significant and unusual weather event affecting the region.
9. US Congress Threatens to Cut Iraqi Security Funding
A significant news item circulating on Iraqi X / Twitter concerns a potential cut in U.S. aid. Rusly Al-Maliki (Post Impact: 21%) reported that the U.S. Congress is threatening the Iraqi government with withholding 75% of its financial supplies designated for Iraqi security. The post did not provide further details on the reasons behind the threat, but it points to potential friction in the security relationship between the two countries.
10. Government Allegedly Issuing Passport for “Islamic Army” Leader
A report shared by Haydar (Post Impact: 19%) alleges that the Iraqi government has instructed the General Directorate of Passports to issue a passport for Ahmed Hussein Dabbash al-Batawi, identified as the leader of the “Islamic Army in Iraq.” The post describes al-Batawi as one of the most wanted individuals, accused of killing a large number of Iraqis, particularly in Baghdad’s Hurriya city. It notes that he was arrested in 2006 and confessed to the crimes but was later released by U.S. forces and deported to Jordan due to his alleged ties to a neighboring country’s intelligence service.




