Based on Miqrab AI’s analysis of 770 X \/ Twitter posts trending in Iraq on July 15, 2025, the primary focus of online conversation was the escalating violence in Syria, particularly the attacks by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) forces on the Druze community in As-Suwayda. Users widely shared graphic videos of humiliation and violence, sparking outrage and condemnation. This narrative was frequently linked to warnings about potential sectarian spillover into Iraq and Lebanon, with many arguing that the events underscore the necessity of armed resistance factions for protecting minority groups, especially Shia communities. Parallel discussions included reports of Israeli military intervention against HTS in the region, nostalgia for the rule of Bashar al-Assad as a bulwark against extremism, and criticism of international and regional actors’ roles. Domestically, key topics included a high-impact statement from Muqtada al-Sadr regarding the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), ongoing political gridlock over the election of a new Speaker of Parliament, and condemnation of recent drone attacks on oil infrastructure in the Kurdistan Region.<\/p>\n
A statement from Sadrist leader Muqtada al-Sadr, shared by his close associate Salih Muhammad al-Iraqi<\/a> (Post Impact: 100%)<\/strong>, generated the highest engagement. The post contained an image with the text, “Our Hashd is Husseini and will not bow to the corrupt,”<\/em> referring to the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF). This declaration comes just a day after al-Sadr had renewed calls to integrate the PMF into the formal state security forces. The timing and wording of the statement were noted by analysts like Shaho Al-Qaradaghi<\/a> (Post Impact: 8%)<\/strong>, who highlighted the apparent contradiction between the two positions. The statement is interpreted as both a reassertion of influence over a segment of the PMF and a message directed at his political rivals within the Shia coordination framework.<\/p>\n A major topic of discussion was the violence perpetrated by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) militants against the Druze community in As-Suwayda, Syria. Accounts shared disturbing videos allegedly showing HTS fighters humiliating elderly Druze men by forcibly shaving their mustaches, which are considered a symbol of dignity. Haider<\/a> (Post Impact: 62%)<\/strong> and Ahmed Al_thawaq<\/a> (Post Impact: 20%)<\/strong> described these acts as terrorism, with the latter blaming Saudi and Qatari support for empowering HTS leader al-Jolani. Minister of Higher Education Naeem Al-Aboudi<\/a> (Post Impact: 51%)<\/strong> commented on a video, stating it serves as a lesson for anyone who considers surrendering their strength to their enemies, concluding, “Humiliation is far from us.”<\/em> The events were framed as a brutal campaign of killing, humiliation, and displacement against a minority group.<\/p>\n Reports of Israeli military intervention in southern Syria were widely circulated, primarily by the account Haider<\/a> (Post Impact: 30%)<\/strong>. These posts claimed that the Israeli air force destroyed roads leading to As-Suwayda to prevent military reinforcements from reaching the city and also targeted HTS and Syrian army gatherings and weapons depots in both As-Suwayda and Daraa. One post from the same account stated that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had ordered immediate strikes on “terrorist forces” entering the Druze province. This narrative of Israeli intervention was also discussed by accounts like Hiba Al-Naib<\/a> (Post Impact: 20%)<\/strong>, who commented sarcastically on Shia individuals supposedly seeking help from Israel to defend the Druze.<\/p>\n Amidst the chaos in As-Suwayda, several influential accounts expressed a sense of nostalgia for the rule of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. They argued that his government, despite its flaws, was able to control extremist elements that are now terrorizing minorities. Dr. Husien Alsafi<\/a> (Post Impact: 67%)<\/strong> posted an image of a lion and a donkey with the caption, “When the lion was absent, the donkey thought he was king of the jungle.”<\/em> Similarly, Ahmed Al_thawaq<\/a> (Post Impact: 68%)<\/strong> shared a video of the violence and questioned how Assad had managed to control “all these animals,” blaming Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey for the current situation. Hassan Al-Kaabi<\/a> (Post Impact: 29%)<\/strong> shared a quote attributed to Assad, implying he was right to eliminate his enemies.<\/p>\n The ongoing political turmoil surrounding the election of a new Speaker for the Iraqi Parliament was a subject of commentary and ridicule. Faiq Al-Sheikh Ali<\/a> (Post Impact: 23%)<\/strong> mocked the protracted process, sarcastically noting the sequence of speakers (al-Halbousi, al-Mandalawi, al-Mashhadani) and joking that a vote to replace the current speaker would not happen until “the year 2099.” In another post, he ironically defended Mahmoud al-Mashhadani against rumors of mental incompetence, claiming he is still more rational and honorable than other Iraqi politicians. Rusly Al-Maliki<\/a> (Post Impact: 14%)<\/strong> also contributed to the conversation by asking followers for a video where al-Mashhadani allegedly insults Iraq.<\/p>\n The violence against the Druze in Syria was widely interpreted as a dire warning for Shia communities in Iraq and Lebanon. Commentators argued that these events demonstrate what could happen if armed “resistance” factions were to be disarmed. Ahmad Abdulsada<\/a> (Post Impact: 17%)<\/strong> wrote that the scenes in As-Suwayda are what “America wants to replicate against the Shiites of Lebanon and Iraq” and that any talk of surrendering weapons is a prelude to the “humiliation and slaughter of Shiites.” This sentiment was echoed by Hassan Al-Kaabi<\/a> (Post Impact: 17%)<\/strong>, who stated, “What happened in the [Syrian] coast and As-Suwayda is a brief lesson for the Iraqi Shiite if he hands over his weapon.”<\/em> The narrative frames the retention of arms by militia groups as essential for self-preservation against takfiri threats.<\/p>\n Recent drone attacks targeting oil infrastructure in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq drew condemnation and analysis. The U.S. Embassy Baghdad<\/a> (Post Impact: 9%)<\/strong> issued a statement condemning the July 14-15 attacks on the Khurmala and Sarsang oil fields, calling them “unacceptable” and urging the Iraqi government to prevent armed actors from launching such attacks and hold them accountable. Hoshyar Zebari<\/a> (Post Impact: 8%)<\/strong> blamed “Wilai factions” (pro-Iran militias) for the attacks, linking them to the central government’s policy of withholding salaries from the region’s employees, calling it “blatant aggression.” Rusly Al-Maliki<\/a> (Post Impact: 9%)<\/strong> criticized Prime Minister al-Sudani’s response of forming an investigative committee, suggesting it was another instance of inaction.<\/p>\n Analyst Murad Ismael<\/a> (Post Impact: 22%)<\/strong> offered a strategic analysis of HTS leader Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, arguing that he is “playing it very well.” According to Ismael, al-Jolani secured support from Turkey, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, which in turn influenced the U.S. to legitimize HTS rule over Syria. He warned that after terrorizing Alawites, Christians, and now the Druze, HTS will target the Kurds next before aiming to “change regimes in Iraq and Jordan.” This perspective suggests that the current events are part of a larger, calculated plan by HTS to establish a “fully functioning terrorist regime” that will eventually turn on its international backers.<\/p>\n The response of the Druze leadership to the HTS advance was a key focus. According to posts by Haider<\/a> (Post Impact: 18%)<\/strong>, the spiritual leader of Syria’s Druze, Sheikh Hikmat al-Hajari, initially issued a statement of surrender under duress to ensure the safety of his people. However, after HTS forces allegedly violated the agreement and began attacking civilians, he issued a new call for all Druze to “stand with dignity and confront this genocide by all means.” This call to arms was met with support from some Iraqi accounts, such as Hassan Al-Kaabi<\/a> (Post Impact: 20%)<\/strong>, who declared, “From Iraq, we are all with Sheikh Hikmat al-Hajari.”<\/em><\/p>\n Syrian journalist Faisal al-Qassem, who is himself Druze, became a target of criticism for his perceived hypocrisy. Ali Wajeeh<\/a> (Post Impact: 8%)<\/strong> accused al-Qassem of having “applauded with all ugliness the massacres of the Alawites” by HTS gangs, only to cry out for help now that the violence has reached his own community. Haider<\/a> (Post Impact: 6%)<\/strong> shared a recent statement from al-Qassem where he strongly condemned the attackers, calling them “barbaric Tartar gangs” and questioning who they were. This narrative highlights the shifting alliances and sectarian complexities of the conflict as perceived by Iraqi observers.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Based on Miqrab AI’s analysis of 770 X \/ Twitter posts trending in Iraq on July 15, 2025, the primary focus of online conversation was the escalating violence in Syria, particularly the attacks by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) forces on the Druze community in As-Suwayda. Users widely shared graphic videos of humiliation and violence, sparking […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":8553,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[72,73,78],"tags":[82,52,81,83],"class_list":["post-8552","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-twitter-x","category-iraq","category-daily","tag-daily-reports","tag-iraq-daily-social-media-trends","tag-iraq-public-opinion","tag-trending-x-twitter"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t2. Violence Against Druze Community in As-Suwayda, Syria<\/h2>\n
3. Israeli Airstrikes in Southern Syria<\/h2>\n
4. Nostalgia and Support for Bashar al-Assad<\/h2>\n
5. Iraqi Parliament Speaker Succession Debates<\/h2>\n
6. Warnings of Sectarian Spillover into Iraq<\/h2>\n
7. Drone Attacks on Oil Fields in Kurdistan Region<\/h2>\n
8. Analysis of Al-Jolani’s Regional Strategy<\/h2>\n
9. Druze Leader’s Call for Armed Resistance<\/h2>\n
10. Condemnation of Journalist Faisal al-Qassem<\/h2>\n