Based on a Miqrab AI analysis of 573 trending X / Twitter posts on December 20, 2024, the primary narratives in Iraq revolve around significant regional policy shifts and intense domestic political debates. A major news story focused on Iraq’s decision to halt oil exports to Syria following the change in regime, sparking discussions about geopolitical realignment. Concurrently, there was a robust debate concerning the future of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) and other militias, with some voices calling for their dissolution and others defending them as essential for national security. Other prominent topics included rumors about the status of militia leader Qais Khazali, criticism of politicians like Faiq Al-Sheikh Ali and Mohammed al-Halbousi, warnings of expanding Iranian-backed threats to Gulf states, and a social media controversy surrounding lawyer Zainab Jawad.

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

1. Iraq Halts Oil Exports to Syria

Multiple accounts reported that Iraq has decided to stop exporting black oil to Syria, a move that comes after the recent change of power in Damascus. Hassan Al-Kaabi | Hassan Alkaabi (Post Impact: 76%) noted that Iran has also stopped its oil exports, framing the context as the takeover of Syria by “terrorist organizations.” The same account, in another post, Hassan Al-Kaabi | Hassan Alkaabi (Post Impact: 40%), cited Iraqi Member of Parliament Mustafa Sanad in confirming the decision would take effect this month. Commentators such as Mulla Aboud Al-Karkhi (Post Impact: 5%) interpreted the decision as an admission that the Iraqi government had been supporting the Assad regime rather than the Syrian people. Haidar (Post Impact: 5%) also linked the halt directly to the new leadership in Syria.

2. Debate Over the Future of the PMF and Militias in Iraq

A significant debate unfolded regarding the future of armed groups in Iraq. Accounts like Mahdi Majeed (Post Impact: 33%) argued for a slow and peaceful change to dismantle militia rule, warning that a rapid power vacuum would lead to chaos and gang rule. In contrast, pro-militia voices lauded their importance. Abu Azrael – Abu Azrael (Post Impact: 39%) posted a video praising the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), stating, “The PMF is life for those who want to live with dignity and death for those who want to touch its creed.” Similarly, Ahmed Abdul Sada (Post Impact: 17%) claimed that regional countries fear Iraq because of the PMF, not the regular army, calling it the “ideological army” necessary to win modern “ideological wars.” Meanwhile, Issam Hussein (Post Impact: 11%) asserted that there is no American demand to dissolve the PMF itself, but only the factions linked to Iran.

3. Faiq Al-Sheikh Ali’s Commentary on TikTok Sparks Debate

Politician Faiq Al-Sheikh Ali/My Word for History (Post Impact: 41%) stirred discussion with a two-part post about his experience on TikTok. He stated that while he initially enjoyed classical music on the platform, he was shocked after seeing a friend’s feed, which he described in a subsequent post Faiq Al-Sheikh Ali/My Word for History (Post Impact: 34%) as containing “groups of polite Iraqi prostitutes… composing symphonies of profanity with brilliant creativity.” His commentary drew sharp reactions. Ahmed Al-Thawaq (Post Impact: 13%) dismissed him and other opposition figures as irrelevant “displaced people in other countries,” telling them to let Iraqis enjoy the holiday season. In a more personal attack, Wasan Al-Shaykhli (Post Impact: 13%) shared a clip of militia leader Hadi Al-Amiri claiming he used to hit Faiq Al-Sheikh Ali with a shoe.

4. Rumors Circulate About Militia Leader Qais Khazali’s Status

Speculation about the whereabouts and condition of Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq leader Qais Khazali was a prominent topic. Rusly Al-Maliki (Post Impact: 21%) questioned his absence, asking, “Why doesn’t Qais Khazali appear in a televised speech and end the conflicting news and controversy surrounding him now?” In response to such rumors, Mahmoud Al-Rubaie (Post Impact: 10%), a member of the group, posted a photo of Khazali and relayed a message that he sends his greetings to his supporters and tells the “fabricators of lies” to “die in your rage.” Meanwhile, Mohammed Jabbar (Post Impact: 10%) mocked the public’s intense focus on the matter, comparing it to the obsession over a world-famous football star.

5. Warnings of Iranian-Backed Threats Against Gulf Nations

Several accounts raised alarms about potential Iranian-backed aggression towards Gulf countries, particularly Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. Mohamed Almaroof/Mohammed Al-Ma’roof (Post Impact: 27%) claimed that “Iraqi politicians are funding sleeper cells in the Arab Gulf” and that the Houthis are preparing to invade Saudi Arabia from Iraq, citing Dr. Rahib Salih. He presented this as proof that Iraq has become a “training and financing platform for sectarian militias.” Similarly, Sufian Al-Samarrai (Post Impact: 12%) asserted that Iran is threatening Kuwait, pointing to what he calls “Shiite media escalation from Iraq” as a prelude to a major catastrophe. The same account also commented on Iranian influence within Hezbollah, reporting that Sufian Al-Samarrai (Post Impact: 32%) Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei ordered the appointment of Hassan Nasrallah’s son as the new leader.

6. Support for Lawyer Zainab Jawad Amidst Controversy

A campaign of support emerged for lawyer Zainab Jawad following disciplinary action against her, which supporters claim is politically motivated. Hiba Al-Nnayib (Post Impact: 18%) argued that “pro-Iran loyalists” launched a smear campaign using a leaked private recording because Jawad “stood with courage” against passing the Personal Status Law. Tamara Alkhazraji (Post Impact: 5%) echoed this sentiment, questioning why such an aggressive online attack was directed at a woman for a private conversation while major corruption leaks involving male politicians were ignored. Zayed Al-Assad (Post Impact: 6%) stated that Jawad committed no crime and is being punished solely for her courageous stance against the “child marriage law.” Rusly Al-Maliki (Post Impact: 9%) acknowledged the need to deter wrong behavior but noted that the judiciary should be the final arbiter on the Bar Association’s decision.

7. Criticism of Mohammed al-Halbousi’s Visit to Washington

Former Parliament Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi’s recent visit to Washington D.C. was heavily criticized as a failure by several commentators. Tamara Alkhazraji (Post Impact: 11%) described the trip as a “visit of disappointment,” claiming Halbousi paid over $3 million to a PR firm to arrange meetings with high-level U.S. officials but ultimately only met with “fourth-level officials nobody knows.” Rusly Al-Maliki (Post Impact: 7%) questioned the purpose of the visit, asking whether Halbousi went to mediate for the militias, lobby for his return to power, or simply to “create a photo album with obscure American politicians.” Both accounts portrayed the visit as an ineffective attempt to regain political influence.

8. Politician Khamis al-Khanjar Criticized for Terror Remarks

Politician Khamis al-Khanjar faced backlash for his statement that “Al-Qaeda and ISIS are the result of wrong policies.” Ghaith Al-Tamimi (Post Impact: 14%) called this a “very dangerous” statement and “the most heinous justification for terrorism,” arguing that while people worldwide suffer from bad policies, they do not turn into terrorists. He asserted that the real root of terrorism is political Islam based on “Sharia governance.” Similarly, Ezzat Alshabandar (Post Impact: 7%) distinguished between explaining and justifying, stating that Khanjar’s rhetoric has not changed from when he allegedly described ISIS terrorists as “tribal revolutionaries.” Both accounts condemned the remarks as a dangerous attempt to legitimize terrorism.

9. Analyzing Syria’s New Political Landscape and Regional Impact

Following the collapse of the Assad regime, Iraqi commentators analyzed the new political reality in Syria and its impact on the region, particularly on Iran’s influence. Shaho Al-Qaradaghi (Post Impact: 11%) shared a quote from Ahmed al-Sharaa of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, who claimed to have expelled Iranian militias and closed Syria as a platform for Iran’s proxies, stating, “The Iranian project in the region has been set back 40 years.” Liqaa Makki (Post Impact: 12%) compared the current Arab media coverage of Syria to that of post-invasion Iraq, suggesting that some outlets continue to push agendas aimed at systematically destroying the country by promoting divisive figures. Meanwhile, Sufian Al-Samarrai (Post Impact: 13%) reported on a U.S. strike that killed a Daesh leader in Deir ez-Zor, describing it as a preemptive move to disrupt the plans of a “Qatari-Turkish-Iranian triad.”

10. Leaders Congratulate Yazidi Community on Holiday

Top Iraqi political leaders extended congratulations to the Yazidi community on the occasion of their fasting festival, known as “Rojin Ezi.” Prime Minister Mohamed Shia’ Al Sudani (Post Impact: 12%) offered his “sincere congratulations and blessings,” reiterating his government’s commitment to all of Iraq’s diverse communities. He noted with pride that his government officially recognized the holiday last year to respect the Yazidis’ cultural identity. Similarly, Ammar Al-Hakim (Post Impact: 8%), leader of the National Wisdom Movement, congratulated the “partners in humanity and the nation” and renewed calls to address their issues, particularly the unresolved cases of women and girls kidnapped by ISIS.