Based on an analysis of 654 posts on X / Twitter by Miqrab AI on December 25, 2024, the primary narratives in Iraq centered on regional power dynamics and the unfolding situation in Syria. The most prominent theme, driven by high-engagement posts from influential figures, was the reaffirmation of allegiance to Iran’s Supreme Leader and the strength of the “resistance axis.” Simultaneously, a significant portion of the conversation was dedicated to condemning the new Syrian regime under Ahmed al-Sharaa (al-Jolani) for alleged sectarian attacks against Alawite and Christian communities, sparking fears of widespread conflict. Other key topics included speculation about future U.S. policy under a potential Trump administration, Turkish threats against Kurdish forces in Syria, and persistent domestic Iraqi issues such as political corruption allegations and calls for regional autonomy.

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

1. Pro-Iran Axis Reaffirms Allegiance to Khamenei

A major trend was the reaffirmation of loyalty to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, by prominent Iraqi figures associated with the “resistance axis.” The most impactful post came from Qais al-Khazali (Post Impact: 100%), leader of Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq, who shared an image of Khamenei with the text “The promise of God.” This sentiment was echoed by accounts like Hassan al-Kaabi (Post Impact: 18%), who described Khamenei as the “Guardian of the Muslims and Imam of all humanity.” Additionally, popular paramilitary figure Abu Azrael (Post Impact: 21%) posted a video showcasing armed capabilities, reinforcing the narrative of military strength and readiness within this political-military bloc.

2. Condemnation of Sectarian Violence in Syria

Widespread condemnation emerged over alleged sectarian attacks by the new Syrian authorities. Multiple accounts reported that armed groups burned the shrine of Hussein bin Hamdan al-Khasibi, a revered Alawite figure, in Aleppo and killed several of its guards. Essam Hussein (Post Impact: 7%) described the incident as showing the attackers celebrating over the bodies of the guards. Ahmed Abdul Sada (Post Impact: 12%) argued that these “organized attacks” expose the “savage, bloody tendency of Syria’s new rulers.” Similarly, Sheikh Mohammed al-Basri (Post Impact: 12%) warned that this act was a prelude to the potential destruction of other Shiite shrines, such as those of Sayyida Zainab and Sayyida Ruqayya.

3. Speculation on a Tougher US Stance Under Trump

Users discussed the potential foreign policy of a future Donald Trump administration, with many anticipating a more aggressive stance in the Middle East. Sufian al-Samarrai (Post Impact: 23%) shared a video of Trump stating he would execute drug traffickers and destroy cartels just as he did with ISIS, interpreting this as a message that Trump would dismantle the “Qatari-Turkish-Iranian triangle’s plan in Syria.” Analyst Liqaa Maki (Post Impact: 10%) outlined a broader set of potential Trump priorities, including separating Iraq from Iranian influence, resolving the Iranian nuclear program, and ending the Houthi issue in Yemen, either through political agreement or military intervention.

4. Criticism of Kuwaiti Figure’s Pro-Baathist Stance

A highly engaged post from Dr. Hayder al-Barzanji (Post Impact: 60%) strongly criticized an unnamed Kuwaiti woman for allegedly praising the “Zionist entity” and promoting normalization, while also glorifying the “Baathist regime that shed the blood of our Kuwaiti brothers.” The post likens her to “Umm Lahab, the carrier of firewood,” a villainous figure in Islamic history. Al-Barzanji questioned the lack of laws in Kuwait to silence such rhetoric, which he deemed harmful to social cohesion.

5. New Syrian Regime’s Violent Crackdown on Protests

Reports of the new Syrian government using force against demonstrators circulated among Iraqi accounts. Hassan al-Kaabi (Post Impact: 13%) shared a video allegedly showing “terrorists” in Homs brutally attacking protesters with gunfire and bombs. In another post, he showed footage of armed groups firing live rounds at Alawite protesters in Tartus. Najah Mohammed Ali (Post Impact: 7%) also reported that Ahmed al-Sharaa’s government fired on protesters in Homs, resulting in casualties, drawing parallels to similar incidents in the city of Jableh.

6. Growing Anti-Iranian Sentiment Among Iraqis

Alongside pro-Iran voices, a strong counter-narrative of anti-Iranian sentiment was also present. Othman al-Mukhtar (Post Impact: 25%) posted a video contrasting an Iraqi nationalist figure with others he labeled “slaves of Khamenei.” Mahdi Majeed (Post Impact: 13%) directly addressed what he called “Iran’s tails,” accusing them of stealing Iraq’s wealth for Iran, killing Iraqis for the sake of the Mullahs, and sacrificing Shia youth for Khamenei. This sentiment was also reflected in a post by Ghayth al-Tamimi (Post Impact: 10%), who shared a video with the comment, “He who lacks a thing cannot give it! Iran turns its back on its tails.”

7. Turkey Threatens Military Action Against Kurds in Syria

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s threats against Kurdish fighters in Syria were a significant topic of discussion. Sufian al-Samarrai (Post Impact: 9%) quoted Erdoğan as saying, “We will bury the Kurds alive if they do not lay down their arms.” Analyst Kadhim Al-Waeli (Post Impact: 8%) argued that this threat is primarily for domestic consumption, as the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) are protected by their military partnership with the United States. Furthermore, Murad Ismael (Post Impact: 8%) framed the Syrian Kurds as the “last line of defense preventing Turkish expansion southward into the Arab world.”

8. Calls for Federalism and Criticism of Iraqi Leaders

The idea of establishing autonomous regions in Iraq as a solution to ongoing political dysfunction was raised by several users. Mahdi Majeed (Post Impact: 15%) expressed support for a Sunni region similar to Kurdistan but noted that the current Sunni leaders advocating for it are corrupt and self-serving, comparing them to their “thieving” Shia counterparts. Sheikh Thair al-Bayati (Post Impact: 4%) was more optimistic, predicting that “The United Arab Region” would become a reality in 2025, arguing that federalism is the “optimal and final solution for Iraq.”

9. MP Mustafa Sanad Alleges Corruption by PM’s Cousin

Allegations of high-level corruption involving Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani’s relatives gained traction. Wikileaks Iraq (Post Impact: 15%), citing MP Mustafa Sanad, claimed that the Prime Minister removed a voice-matching device from the Criminal Evidence Directorate to prevent it from confirming the voice of his cousin, General Sami al-Sudani, in a national security case. A video shared by Abu Darndesh al-Askari (Post Impact: 14%) showed Mustafa Sanad speaking forcefully on the matter, with the caption suggesting he was delivering a harsh reprimand.

10. Demand for Iran to Pay Syria War Reparations

The prospect of the new Syrian administration demanding financial compensation from Iran was highlighted. Shaho al-Qaradaghi (Post Impact: 25%) shared information from media sources stating, “The new administration in Syria will demand that Iran pay $300 billion in compensation for the damage it caused to Syrians and Syrian infrastructure by supporting Assad and its affiliated militias.” This prompted a response from Wasan al-Shaikhli (Post Impact: 17%), who dismissed the idea and argued that warnings should first be directed at Israel, Turkey, America, ISIS, and the SDF before focusing on Iran.