Based on an analysis of 464 X / Twitter posts trending on January 26, 2025, Miqrab AI identified several key themes dominating online conversations in Iraq. The most prominent narrative celebrated the return of Lebanese civilians to their villages in South Lebanon and their direct confrontation with Israeli forces, which was widely framed as a victory for popular resistance. Another major topic was the annual pilgrimage commemorating the martyrdom of Imam Musa al-Kadhim in Baghdad, with officials praising the event’s organization while some users highlighted sectarian tensions and issues like littering. Discussions also revolved around historical analyses of foreign influence in Iraq, contemporary political corruption allegations against the Minister of Communications, and the potential geopolitical shifts under a new U.S. administration, particularly concerning Iraqi militias and the relocation of Palestinians.

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

1. Lebanese Civilians Confront Israeli Forces in South Lebanon

Accounts across Iraqi X / Twitter widely celebrated the return of Lebanese civilians to their villages in southern Lebanon, portraying their actions as a heroic act of resistance against Israeli forces. Posts highlighted the defiance of individuals like Zahraa al-Qubaisi, who was filmed confronting Israeli Merkava tanks. Essam Hussein (Post Impact: 52%) shared a video of the incident, quoting her as saying, “we do not collapse, this is our land.” Naeem Al-Aboudi (Post Impact: 33%) described these events as “national epics” proving that the power of a people attached to their land exceeds that of the most savage armies. Similarly, Muna Sami – Muna Sami (Post Impact: 13%) stated that “with popular will, Lebanon decides and the occupier executes.” The overall sentiment praised the steadfastness of the Lebanese people, viewing it as a significant victory for the “resistance.”

2. Commemoration of Imam Musa al-Kadhim’s Martyrdom

The anniversary of the martyrdom of Imam Musa al-Kadhim was a major topic, with official and popular accounts marking the occasion. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani (Post Impact: 15%) expressed his appreciation for all ministries, security forces, and volunteers who ensured the success and flow of the “million-man” pilgrimage. The Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service (Post Impact: 23%) also issued a statement of condolence. Several users, including Ahmed Al-Thawaq (Post Impact: 11%), praised the improved organization of this year’s pilgrimage, crediting Al Sudani’s infrastructure projects for reducing congestion for the over 14 million visitors. The event also sparked sectarian declarations, with accounts like Harouf Sumerian (Post Impact: 23%) and Wasan Al-Sheikhli (Post Impact: 19%) sharing videos with captions like “Baghdad is Shia.”

3. Historical “Betrayals” and Modern Iranian Influence

A lengthy post by Noor – Um Omar (Post Impact: 49%) presented a historical narrative arguing that Iraq has consistently fallen due to internal betrayal. The account detailed three “catastrophes”: the Jewish-Achaemenid alliance against Babylon, the betrayal by Ibn al-Alqami and Nasir al-Din al-Tusi that led to the Mongol sack of Baghdad, and a “modern catastrophe” described as the handing over of Iraq to Iran by politicians like Ahmed Chalabi, Nuri al-Maliki, and Abdul Aziz al-Hakim. This narrative of historical and contemporary treason was echoed by others like Essam Hussein (Post Impact: 8%), who discussed the definition of treason in the context of Iraqi opposition groups that operated from Iran against Saddam Hussein’s regime.

4. Threats from Iraqi Factions Against Syrian Leader Al-Julani

Tensions related to the situation in Syria were highlighted in posts discussing threats against Ahmed al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammad al-Julani, the leader of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham. Hiba Alnnaayib HIBA Alnnayib (Post Impact: 36%) shared a post from an account she refers to as “Fashionista Al-Hashd,” which directed a threat to al-Julani stating, “Your confrontation with us is inevitable, we will not and have not forgotten what you are doing to our people in #Syria.” This sentiment was contrasted with commentary from Ahmed Al-Thawaq (Post Impact: 24%), who suggested that Israel operates freely in Syria because al-Julani and his groups do not resist, unlike the situation in South Lebanon.

5. Reports of Trump Admin Plans to Sanction Iraqi Militias

Several accounts discussed potential moves by the new U.S. administration under President Trump against Iran-aligned factions in Iraq. Mahdi Majeed (Post Impact: 21%) cited “exclusive information” from Israeli media claiming that President Trump will soon sign an order designating several Iraqi militias as terrorist organizations and issue other “strict resolutions” concerning the Popular Mobilization Forces. This aligns with comments from Ghaith Al-Tamimi GHAITH ALTAMIMI (Post Impact: 4%), who wrote about the collapse of the “axis of evil” under the leadership of Trump and Netanyahu and the imminent “funeral” for the “entire system of political Islam.”

6. Corruption Allegations Against Minister of Communications

A significant story involved allegations of corruption directed at Iraq’s Minister of Communications by politician Dr. Hanan Al-Fatlawi (Post Impact: 14%). She claimed that the ministry signed a new ten-year contract with a company previously fined 991 billion Iraqi dinars for internet capacity smuggling. After the Minister denied the claim and threatened legal action, Al-Fatlawi doubled down in a subsequent post, stating she would release a travel authorization showing ministry employees traveled to Turkey at the company’s expense to discuss the new contract. Hiba Alnnaayib HIBA Alnnayib (Post Impact: 5%) also commented on the public dispute, framing it as infighting among corrupt elites.

7. Sectarian Tensions During Imam al-Kadhim Pilgrimage

The religious pilgrimage for Imam al-Kadhim also became a flashpoint for discussing sectarianism. Ali Almadany – Ali Almadany (Post Impact: 14%) criticized what he saw as a double standard, questioning how some can condemn insults against Shia figures while tolerating chants cursing Sunni caliphs Abu Bakr and Omar at the Kadhimiya shrine. He quoted the Arabic proverb, “Do not forbid an act while committing a similar one; it is a great shame if you do.” Meanwhile, Hassan Basketball -HASSAN AL HAMMADI (Post Impact: 12%) called on pilgrims passing through the predominantly Sunni area of Adhamiyah to “be ashamed” and show respect, invoking the memory of Othman al-Obeidi, a Sunni man who died saving Shia pilgrims in 2005.

8. Reports on Trump’s Plan to Relocate Palestinians from Gaza

Multiple users circulated reports about a plan by U.S. President Donald Trump to relocate Palestinians from Gaza. Haider (Post Impact: 5%) claimed Trump was contacting the leaders of Jordan and Egypt to request they host Gazans for an extended period, with Gulf funding, until Gaza is rebuilt. He also mentioned that Iraq might be a candidate to receive some Palestinians. Sufian Al-Samarrai (Post Impact: 6%) described the plan as a temporary move to Egypt and Jordan to “cleanse” Gaza of Hamas tunnels. Both David Yassin (Post Impact: 8%) and Liqaa Maki (Post Impact: 8%) also commented on the news, stating that Trump has “started early with the plan to displace Palestinians.”

9. Criticism of Littering By Pilgrims at Holy Shrines

Amidst the commemoration of Imam al-Kadhim’s martyrdom, some users criticized the behavior of pilgrims. Mahdi Majeed (Post Impact: 17%) posted a video showing large amounts of trash scattered on the streets near a shrine, despite the visible presence of garbage bins. He questioned why visitors destroy the areas surrounding the shrines and urged them to “learn the culture of keeping places clean.” Abu Drandesh Al-Askari (Post Impact: 10%) shared a similar video, pointing out a double standard where certain public behaviors are criticized within their community but viewed as “wow and cultural beauty” in other societies.

10. Exchange of Iran-Iraq War Remains at Border

Several accounts reported on the formal exchange of remains of soldiers killed during the Iran-Iraq War in the 1980s. According to Haider (Post Impact: 6%), the Iraqi military received the remains of 21 Iraqi soldiers from Iran, while Iraq handed over the remains of 41 Iranian soldiers. A separate post by Rusly Al-Maliki 🇮🇶 رسلي المالكي (Post Impact: 7%) also marked the occasion, paying tribute to the 21 Iraqi “martyrs” who fell in the “immortal Qadisiyyah” war and returned to the homeland. The event served as a somber reminder of the conflict’s enduring legacy for both nations.