Based on a Miqrab AI analysis of 720 X \/ Twitter posts trending in Iraq on December 4, 2025, the dominant narrative revolved around the Iraqi government’s decision, published in the official gazette, to designate Lebanon’s Hezbollah and Yemen’s Ansar Allah (the Houthis) as terrorist organizations, and its subsequent retraction claiming the publication was an error. This action triggered widespread online condemnation, political debate over the government’s allegiances, and street demonstrations in Baghdad and southern provinces in support of the two groups. Other significant discussions included nostalgic tributes to former leader Saddam Hussein, sharp criticism of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani over his foreign policy, and a humanitarian appeal concerning the lengthy imprisonment and deteriorating health of a former Ba’athist-era minister.<\/p>\n
A major controversy erupted after Iraq’s official gazette, “Al-Waqa’i’ al-Iraqiyya,” published a decision from the Committee for Freezing Terrorists’ Funds that included Lebanon’s Hezbollah and Yemen’s Ansar Allah (the Houthis) on its list of terrorist organizations. The news, shared by accounts like Haidar<\/a> (Post Impact: 59%)<\/strong> and Othman Al-Mukhtar<\/a> (Post Impact: 40%)<\/strong>, drew immediate and widespread condemnation. In response to the backlash, the Prime Minister’s Media Office<\/a> (Post Impact: 39%)<\/strong> issued a statement claiming the inclusion was an error and that an urgent investigation would be launched. However, many commentators, including Faig Alsheakh\/My Word to History<\/a> (Post Impact: 75%)<\/strong>, questioned the government’s logic, asking, “How can Iraq classify its allies in Lebanon and Yemen as terrorists, while it itself is ruled by terrorist parties, figures, and organizations?”<\/em> Other accounts, such as Rusly Al-Maliki<\/a> (Post Impact: 41%)<\/strong>, argued the claim of an error was merely for “media appeasement,” as decisions published in the official gazette are legally final.<\/p>\n In direct reaction to the government’s decision to list Hezbollah and Ansar Allah as terrorist entities, supporters organized demonstrations in several Iraqi cities. Accounts like Haidar<\/a> (Post Impact: 47%)<\/strong> and Najah Mohammed Ali<\/a> (Post Impact: 42%)<\/strong> shared videos of marches taking place in Baghdad, Basra, and Samawah. The posts showed protesters expressing solidarity with the “resistance axis” and condemning the Iraqi government’s move. Wesam Aziz<\/a> (Post Impact: 37%)<\/strong> declared that the government’s action serves the interests of America and Israel and does not represent the Iraqi people. Another account, Wasan Al-Shaikhli<\/a> (Post Impact: 17%)<\/strong>, circulated a call for a vehicle convoy in Baghdad to raise the flags of Hezbollah and Ansar Allah in protest.<\/p>\n Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani faced a wave of criticism for foreign policy decisions perceived as aligning with Western interests at the expense of regional allies. The controversy over the Hezbollah\/Houthi designation was linked by commentators to the government’s prior support for nominating Donald Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize. Renas Ali<\/a> (Post Impact: 40%)<\/strong> wrote a long post disavowing his previous support for the Prime Minister, stating that backing Trump, who ordered the killing of Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, was an unforgivable act. Similarly, Ahmed Abdulsada<\/a> (Post Impact: 30%)<\/strong> accused the government of making shameful concessions and sacrificing Iraq’s dignity for “the seat of power.” Dr. Qusay Shafiq<\/a> (Post Impact: 25%)<\/strong> criticized the silence of armed factions on the government’s support for Trump, suggesting it exposed their pragmatic shift toward protecting their own interests.<\/p>\n A strong current of nostalgia for former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein was evident in highly engaged posts. Dr. Hussein Al-Safi<\/a> (Post Impact: 100%)<\/strong> posted a picture of Saddam with the caption, “Do you have a picture of the old man on your device, so we can anger the corrupt with it?”<\/em> The post received significant interaction, indicating a shared sentiment among his followers. In a similar vein, Mahdi Majeed<\/a> (Post Impact: 40%)<\/strong> shared a video of Iraqi football fans in Qatar chanting Saddam Hussein’s name and posed the question, “Why do Arabs and Iraqis still love Saddam Hussein to this day?”<\/p>\n Political commentator Faig al-Sheikh Ali was a subject of praise for his perceived accurate political analyses. The account Mulla Aboud Al-Karkhi<\/a> (Post Impact: 50%)<\/strong> stated that predictions made by al-Sheikh Ali three years ago are now happening “in every detail,” and that the Iraqi and Arab public are now shocked to see his words come true. This renewed attention was bolstered by a high-impact post from Faig Alsheakh\/My Word to History<\/a> (Post Impact: 75%)<\/strong> himself, in which he critically commented on the government’s move against Hezbollah and the Houthis, reinforcing his image as a relevant and insightful critic of the current political establishment.<\/p>\n Several accounts paid tribute to Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the former deputy head of the Popular Mobilization Forces who was killed in a 2020 US drone strike alongside Iranian General Qasem Soleimani. Ahmed Al-Thawaq<\/a> (Post Impact: 37%)<\/strong> shared a video of al-Muhandis stating, “Our goal from war is the humanitarian aspect,”<\/em> and described him as the “true candidate for all peace prizes.” Dr. Ahmed Al-Abbasi<\/a> (Post Impact: 24%)<\/strong> also praised his legacy, remembering him as a leader who rejected political interference by the PMF, protected protesters, and freed areas of religious minorities without seeking personal gain.<\/p>\n Amid the government’s claims that the controversial designation of Hezbollah and the Houthis was published by “mistake,” commentators raised questions about the legal validity of such a retraction. Rusly Al-Maliki<\/a> (Post Impact: 32%)<\/strong> challenged the government, stating, “You now say that the decision was published ‘by mistake’ in the Iraqi Gazette. Therefore, you must publish the amended decision in the Iraqi Gazette as well. Can you?”<\/em> The account Husham Ali<\/a> (Post Impact: 25%)<\/strong> further explained that once a law or decision is published in the gazette, it enters into force and can only be amended or canceled by a new law issued through the same formal process. This led many to conclude the retraction was not legally binding and was intended to manage public opinion.<\/p>\n A video shared by Tamara Alkhazraji<\/a> (Post Impact: 69%)<\/strong> ignited a conversation about the tribal practice of “fasliya,” where women are used as settlement in disputes. The post alleges that a tribal sheikh “gifted” his daughter, who is a doctor, to another tribe to end a conflict. The account expressed shock and condemnation, stating, “First time in my life I see this pimping in audio and video.”<\/em> The high engagement on the post highlights public frustration with such traditional practices that are seen as violating women’s rights and dignity.<\/p>\n A video clip of Prince Turki Al-Faisal, the former chief of Saudi intelligence, discussing Saudi Arabia’s role in Iraq after the 2003 invasion was shared by the account Kashf Al-Abatil (Detecting Falsehoods)<\/a> (Post Impact: 62%)<\/strong>. In the clip, Prince Turki is quoted as saying that Saudi Arabia took “pride in uniting the Iran-linked turbans after the fall of Saddam Hussein and making them the controllers of Iraq’s affairs.” The post further claims he stated that Saudi Arabia supported figures like Ammar al-Hakim and Muqtada al-Sadr, whose groups were linked to Iran. The video circulated as part of a broader discussion about foreign influence in Iraqi politics.<\/p>\n2. Demonstrations Erupt in Baghdad and Southern Provinces in Support of Hezbollah and Ansar Allah<\/h2>\n
3. Prime Minister al-Sudani Criticized for Pro-Western Foreign Policy Stances<\/h2>\n
4. Nostalgia for Saddam Hussein Trends with Calls to Share His Photos<\/h2>\n
5. Commentator Faig al-Sheikh Ali Praised for Political Foresight<\/h2>\n
6. Tributes Commemorate Slain PMF Commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis<\/h2>\n
7. Commentators Question Legality of Retracting Decision Published in Official Gazette<\/h2>\n
8. Outrage Over Tribal Practice of ‘Giving Away’ a Daughter to Settle Dispute<\/h2>\n
9. Video Surfaces of Former Saudi Intel Chief Discussing Post-2003 Iraq<\/h2>\n
10. Appeal for Release of Ailing Former Ba’athist Minister<\/h2>\n