Based on an analysis of 435 X / Twitter posts trending in Iraq on May 21, 2025, Miqrab AI identified several key narratives dominating online conversations. The most prominent stories included widespread sharing of unsettling videos from Damascus, sparking comparisons to Kabul, and intense public outrage over the death of military cadets in Dhi Qar due to harsh training conditions, which led to calls for high-level accountability. Other significant discussions revolved around historical reflections on the crimes of the Ba’athist regime, a major political announcement by Muqtada al-Sadr regarding the resumption of his movement’s activities, and international news concerning a confrontation between Donald Trump and the president of South Africa. Social and religious debates also featured prominently, with criticism directed at certain religious fatwas and practices.

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

1. Shocking Scenes from Damascus Compared to Kabul

A number of Iraqi accounts shared videos and images depicting what they described as a dire and shocking situation in the Syrian capital, Damascus. A post from Haydar (Post Impact: 51%) shared a video with the comment, “Not Kabul, Afghanistan… a shocking scene from the Syrian capital Damascus after the moon rose over it and the dawn of freedom broke!” The same video was commented on by Ahmed Al-Thawaq (Post Impact: 9%), who sarcastically noted that if such a scene were in Baghdad, it would have generated a hashtag comparing Baghdad to Kandahar. Adding to the concern, Wasan Al-Shaykhli (Post Impact: 18%) posted a video allegedly showing a Brigadier in the Syrian Security Forces named “Abu Aisha al-Afghani” inspecting sectors near the Syrian-Iraqi border.

2. Outrage Over Military Cadet Deaths in Dhi Qar

A major story driving conversation was the death of at least one military cadet and the injury of dozens more at the 4th Military College in Dhi Qar. Multiple accounts expressed anger, blaming harsh and outdated training methods. Haydar (Post Impact: 12%) reported that students were left for six hours under the sun without water. The Iraqi Ministry of Defence (Post Impact: 11%) issued a statement confirming one student’s death from health complications and the hospitalization of eight others for dehydration, stating six had recovered. Many posts, including from Sabereen news (Post Impact: 10%), Fadel Abu Ragheef (Post Impact: 7%), and Abbas Al-Ardawi (Post Impact: 7%), placed blame on Nasser al-Ghannam, head of the Military Academy, calling for his accountability and dismissal for negligence.

3. Accounts Recall Atrocities of Ba’ath Regime

Users on X / Twitter recalled brutal crimes committed during the era of Saddam Hussein’s Ba’athist regime. Dr. Hussein Al-Safi (Post Impact: 14%) posted about Fadil al-Barrak, Saddam’s former intelligence chief, claiming he executed 550 students from al-Kadhimiya high school in a single day after the phrase “Down with Saddam” was found on a blackboard. The post adds that al-Barrak was later killed by Saddam and his wife was married to Saddam’s half-brother on the day of his execution. Similarly, Naeem Al-Aboudi (Post Impact: 4%) commemorated the “crime of al-Kadhimiya high school,” stating that 676 students and their parents were executed, and called for remembering these events to prevent the return of such ideologies.

4. Sadr Announces Resumption of Sadrist Movement Activities

Influential cleric Muqtada al-Sadr (Post Impact: 100%) made a major political announcement through a post on his official X / Twitter account. Although the post’s text field was empty, it contained an image of a formal statement declaring the decision “to resume work in all branches of the Sadrist Movement.” The announcement, addressed to the “brothers and sisters in the National Shiite Movement in general, and the Sadrist Movement in particular,” marks a significant development, signaling the return of one of Iraq’s most powerful political and social forces to full activity after a period of suspension.

5. Controversy Over Alleged “Wife-Swapping” Fatwa

A video shared by Hiba Alnnayib (Post Impact: 15%) sparked outrage by discussing an alleged religious ruling on “wife-swapping,” attributing it to the jurists of Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani. In the clip, a woman reacts with shock, asking, “By what law is this?” Alnnayib’s caption criticizes what she calls the reality of “the Iraq of the religious authorities and Sistani’s fatwas,” adding, “This is the law and doctrine of your authorities… everything is wrapped in a fatwa! May God disgrace you.” The post suggests that such practices are being sanctioned under a religious guise, a claim that generated significant controversial engagement.

6. Trump Confronts South African President Over Killings

Several accounts circulated clips of a meeting where former U.S. President Donald Trump confronted the President of South Africa. According to posts from Sufian Al-Samarrai (Post Impact: 11%) and ZaidBenjamin (Post Impact: 3%), Trump presented the South African leader with evidence of what he termed “massacres against white farmers” in South Africa. The accounts describe Trump as turning the tables on the South African government, which the posts link to Hamas and Qatar, framing the confrontation as a response to South Africa’s international case against Israel. The posts highlight the “shock” on the South African president’s face.

7. Release of Corruption-Accused Sabah al-Kinani Sparks Reactions

The release of Sabah al-Kinani, who was arrested in 2021 on charges of bribery and extortion, was met with cynical commentary. Yasser Eljuboori (Post Impact: 9%) sarcastically announced the release, calling al-Kinani a “mujahid, just, and corruption-fighting sheikh who was arrested in the act years ago for multiple crimes including bribery, extortion, and threats.” Shaho Al-Qaradaghi (Post Impact: 4%) also reported on the news, clarifying that al-Kinani was released after being included in a “general amnesty” law. The reactions suggest public skepticism about the justice system and the effectiveness of anti-corruption campaigns.

8. Report Cites Sunni Texts Praising Iranians

A detailed report posted by Najah Mohammed Ali (Post Impact: 10%) argues that Persians (Iranians) are praised within the Quran and Sunni hadith. The post exclusively cites well-regarded Sunni sources such as Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, and the tafsirs of al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir. It highlights specific Quranic verses and prophetic sayings, such as “If faith were at the Pleiades, men from these people [Persians] would attain it,” to emphasize the historical and religious status of Iranians in Islam and their role in supporting the Ahl al-Bayt (the family of the Prophet Muhammad).

9. Poll Asks if PM Al-Sudani Deserves a Second Term

A poll posted by Dr. Salah Al-Arbawi (Post Impact: 10%) is gauging public opinion on the performance of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al-Sudani. The post directly asks followers, “Answer with (yes or no). Does Al-Sudani deserve a second term? Without courtesy, please.” The poll reflects an ongoing public assessment of the current administration’s leadership and has become a point of discussion for users to express their support or opposition regarding the prime minister’s political future.

10. Speculation Over Potential Israeli Strike on Iran

Reports of a potential Israeli attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities are circulating on Iraqi social media, following a report by CNN. Rusly Al-Maliki (Post Impact: 7%) shared the news that “The United States has detected massive Israeli preparations to launch an attack on Iranian nuclear facilities.” In response, commentators like David Yassin (Post Impact: 6%) and Liqaa Maki (Post Impact: 3%) analyzed the news as a leaked story intended for “psychological and political purposes” to pressure Iran in negotiations, rather than as an indication of an imminent military strike.