Based on an analysis of 426 X / Twitter posts trending in Iraq on December 16, 2025, Miqrab AI identified several key narratives dominating online conversations. The most prominent theme revolved around the Sadrist movement, specifically Muqtada al-Sadr’s decision to freeze units of Saraya al-Salam, which garnered the highest engagement. Discussions also focused heavily on domestic political turmoil, including widespread criticism of a new government austerity plan, corruption allegations surrounding a national ID card contract, and speculation over the selection of the next prime minister. Sectarian tensions were inflamed by a controversial proposal to rename a major Baghdad street after Qasem Soleimani and commemorations of past massacres. Concurrently, a positive story celebrating the fans of Zakho FC for winning a FIFA award provided a point of national pride, while other conversations centered on Syrian leader al-Jolani’s past and alleged connections to Iraqi figures.

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

1. Muqtada al-Sadr Freezes Saraya al-Salam Units

A directive from Sadrist leader Muqtada al-Sadr to freeze Saraya al-Salam units in Basra and Wasit gained significant attention, led by a post from his affiliate Saleh Muhammad al-Iraqi (Post Impact: 100%) sharing the official order. Other accounts, including Shaho al-Qaradaghi (Post Impact: 8%) and Haidar (Post Impact: 6%), reported that the six-month freeze and closure of headquarters came in response to an assault on a government employee by individuals claiming affiliation with the group. The stated reason for the disciplinary action was “repeated violations and damage to the reputation of the Brigades.”

2. Syrian Leader Al-Jolani’s Past and Iraqi Connections

Syrian leader Abu Muhammad al-Jolani was a major topic of discussion, with Sufian al-Samarrai (Post Impact: 44%) sharing a video and photos accusing him of betraying his former associates. The post claims Jolani betrayed and killed Abu Maria al-Qahtani and also betrayed former ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi by reporting his location, calling Jolani a “traitor and a thief.” The conversation extended to Iraq when Haidar (Post Impact: 8%) linked Jolani to Iraqi politician Izzat al-Shabandar, whose Syrian stepson, Kholdoun Husam Hamdi, was allegedly awarded a sensitive government contract to merge the national ID and residence cards.

3. Anti-Iran Chants Gain Traction Online

A chant expressing strong anti-Iran sentiment circulated widely. Rusly Al-Maliki (Post Impact: 31%) shared a video with the line, “We insult them in every color.. the scoundrel proxies and Iran with them.” The sentiment was echoed by other users like Tamara Alkhazraji (Post Impact: 5%) and Hiba Alnnaayib (Post Impact: 7%), who shared similar posts targeting Iranian leaders and their perceived allies in Iraq. These posts reflect a narrative of opposition to Iranian influence in the country.

4. Call to Rename Street After Soleimani Sparks Outrage

A proposal by a cleric named Abu Habib al-Safi to rename Baghdad’s historic Al-Rashid Street after the late Iranian general Qasem Soleimani drew sharp condemnation. _. suhair Al_jumaili (Post Impact: 12%) called the cleric a “filthy sectarian beggar” and harshly criticized the suggestion, asking security committees to take action against what she termed extremism. Similarly, Shaho al-Qaradaghi (Post Impact: 6%) stated that the role of a clergyman should be to solve society’s problems rather than “stirring controversy and distributing accusations against people.”

5. Zakho FC Fans Win FIFA’s Best Fans Award

There was widespread celebration after the fans of Zakho Football Club were announced as the winners of the FIFA Fan Award for 2025. Accounts like Emad Bajalan (Post Impact: 8%) and Haidar (Post Impact: 4%) shared the news, highlighting that the award recognized the fans’ humanitarian initiative of throwing thousands of dolls onto the field to be distributed to sick children. Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Masrour Barzani (Post Impact: 7%) congratulated the fans, calling it “a great victory for the sport and its supporters throughout Kurdistan and Iraq.”

6. Controversy over National ID Card Project

A government project to merge the national ID card with the residence card became a subject of controversy over corruption allegations. Haidar (Post Impact: 8%), citing MP Mustafa Sanad, reported that the project was awarded to a German firm and a local company, Al-Ruya Al-Alamiya, owned by Kholdoun Husam Hamdi, the Syrian stepson of Iraqi politician Izzat al-Shabandar. This connection raised concerns about the security of Iraqis’ data, especially given Al-Shabandar’s alleged family ties to Syrian leader al-Jolani. In a follow-up post, Haidar (Post Impact: 7%) noted that the Iraqi government withdrew the project from its agenda following the public controversy.

7. Government Announces Late-Stage Austerity Measures

The Iraqi government’s decision to implement an austerity plan to reduce spending was met with skepticism and criticism. Accounts like Adnan al-Taei (Post Impact: 6%) announced the beginning of an “era of austerity.” Commentators such as Hoshyar Zebari (Post Impact: 4%) described the decisions as “late and came in stoppage time,” suggesting they should have been made earlier in the government’s constitutional term. Ziyad al-Hashimi (Post Impact: 4%) argued that the plan comes “after the ax has fallen” and suggested the caretaker government lacks the authority to implement such significant reforms, speculating it may be an attempt to “whiten its reputation” ahead of forming a new government.

8. Speculation Mounts Over Next Prime Minister

Discussions surrounding the selection of Iraq’s next prime minister were active, with users analyzing the candidates and their backers within the Shia Coordination Framework. Wasan al-Shaikhli (Post Impact: 7%) announced that Hassan Fadam al-Janabi is the official candidate of the Coordination Framework. Meanwhile, Ali Farhan (Post Impact: 7%) stated that former PM Nouri al-Maliki is “out of the race,” narrowing the field. Abbas al-Ardawi (Post Impact: 4%) provided a breakdown of which political factions within the Framework are supporting different candidates, including al-Maliki, Haider al-Abadi, and Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani, noting that alliances are subject to change based on political interests.

9. Debate Over Condemnation of Sectarian Speech

A debate emerged regarding what some users perceive as a double standard in addressing sectarian rhetoric. Issam Hussein (Post Impact: 9%) noted that while many Shias condemned a poet who insulted Sunni figures, he questioned if Sunni figures and media ever reciprocate by condemning insults against Shia rituals, shrines, and religious authorities. He argued that “fairness cannot be selective, and nationalism cannot be fragmented.” On the other side of the issue, Omar al-Janabi (Post Impact: 4%) expressed concern that insulting the companions and wives of the Prophet Muhammad is being treated merely as “indecent content,” arguing that legal articles criminalizing such acts must be activated and that these are serious crimes against Muslims.

10. Media Campaign Against Abdul Wahab al-Saadi Denounced

Users came to the defense of General Abdul Wahab al-Saadi, the head of the Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS), alleging a smear campaign against him. Salem al-Jomaili (Post Impact: 8%) pointed to a “harsh media attack” on al-Saadi and questioned the motives behind attempts to “falsify history and obliterate the achievements of the counter-terrorism forces.” Hassan Basket Ball -HASSAN AL HAMMADI (Post Impact: 2%) claimed the “smear campaign was organized by pro-Iran factions” and defended the reputation of the CTS against its critics.