Based on an analysis of 457 X / Twitter posts trending on May 9, 2026, Miqrab AI identified several key narratives dominating Iraqi online discourse. The most prominent conversations centered on regional geopolitics, with significant attention on a report alleging a secret Israeli military base in Iraq and widespread condemnation of the Bahraini government’s actions against its Shiite citizens. Domestically, the formation of a new government under Prime Minister-designate Ali Al-Zaydi was a major topic, with posts detailing alleged US pressure to exclude militias from power and reporting on international congratulations. Other notable themes included the visit of KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani to Turkey, economic news about Saudi livestock transit shifting to Iraq, and ongoing discussions about Iranian influence and the role of armed factions within the state.

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

1. Bahrain Revokes Citizenship of Shiite Figures

A major topic of discussion was the Bahraini government’s actions against its Shiite population, particularly the forced exile of Bahraini eulogist Mohammed Ghuloom after his citizenship was revoked. The account Hayder (Post Impact: 61%) shared a video of Ghuloom before his deportation. The same account, Hayder (Post Impact: 30%), also reported on the arrest of a large number of Shiite clerics for sectarian reasons, criticizing the “criminal Al Khalifa regime” and questioning the silence of Shiite powers like Iran and Iraq. In contrast, Hiba Alnnayib (Post Impact: 31%) supported the decision, describing Ghuloom as an “Iranian tail” and stating, “No place for traitors.” The account Mujtahid Al-Iraq (Post Impact: 5%) also expressed support for Bahrain’s actions against what it described as dozens of arrested “turbans.”

2. WSJ Report on Secret Israeli Military Base in Iraq

A report from The Wall Street Journal alleging that Israel established a secret military base in the Iraqi desert gained significant traction. Steven Nabil (Post Impact: 33%) and Hayder (Post Impact: 31%) both detailed the claims, stating the base was located in the deserts of Najaf and Karbala and was used by Israeli special forces and rescue teams to support operations against Iran. According to their posts citing the report, the base was discovered after a local shepherd reported unusual activity, leading to an Iraqi army investigation that was allegedly targeted by Israeli airstrikes, killing one Iraqi soldier. Rusly Al-Maliki (Post Impact: 20%) also shared the news, questioning whether the Iraqi government was aware of the base that reportedly “aided Israel in its strikes on Iran.”

3. New Government Formation and US Influence

The formation of a new government under Prime Minister-designate Ali Al-Zaydi was a central theme, with many posts focusing on foreign influence and cabinet appointments. Multiple accounts, including Dr. Qusay Shafiq (Post Impact: 13%) and Hisham Ali (Post Impact: 7%), discussed alleged American conditions for the new government, such as having a “government without factions and PMF” and restricting their members from holding positions from director-general upwards. The topic of international relations was also highlighted by Hayder (Post Impact: 20%) and Ali Farhan (Post Impact: 8%), who both reported that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman congratulated Al-Zaydi on his appointment. Meanwhile, potential cabinet nominees were named by Dr. Zaid Abdulwahab Al-Adhami (Post Impact: 13%).

4. Saudi Livestock Trucks Rerouted Through Iraq

A post from Rusly Al-Maliki (Post Impact: 100%) reported a significant economic development for Iraq related to regional transit. According to the post, Jordan imposed a $60 fee on each head of livestock that Saudi Arabia exports to Syria by land through its territory. As a result, truck drivers opted to reroute their shipments through Iraqi territory instead. This shift is said to have redirected revenue from transit fees, maintenance, accommodation, and fuel purchases to Iraq, providing a direct economic benefit to the country.

5. KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani Visits Turkey

The official visit of Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Masrour Barzani to Turkey was covered extensively by his official account. Masrour Barzani (Post Impact: 28%) reported on his meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, where they emphasized strengthening relations and discussed the formation of a new federal cabinet in Iraq, hoping it would “promote peace and stability.” In separate posts, he detailed meetings with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan (Post Impact: 11%) to discuss the Development Road project, as well as with the Turkish Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler (Post Impact: 8%) to discuss regional security.

6. Saddam’s Prosecutor’s Pre-Trial Rituals Revealed

A video shared by Rusly Al-Maliki (Post Impact: 53%) purportedly showed “strange rituals” performed by Jaafar al-Moussawi, the public prosecutor in the trial of Saddam Hussein and his regime officials. The post’s text suggests that al-Moussawi engaged in these specific practices before confronting the former Iraqi president and his aides in the famous trial. The post highlights this historical detail, bringing attention to the personal preparations of a key figure in one of modern Iraq’s most significant legal proceedings.

7. Reports of Iraqi PMF Fighters in Iranian Cities

Multiple accounts shared reports, attributed to the British newspaper The Telegraph, claiming that fighters from Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) have been deployed at security checkpoints in Tehran and other Iranian cities. Liqaa Maki (Post Impact: 21%) analyzed the claim, suggesting that if true, it would indicate a “serious flaw in the internal security structure of the regime in Iran.” Sufian Al-Samarrai (Post Impact: 8%) also shared the news, referring to the PMF as a “terrorist-classified” group and framing their presence as a measure against a potential popular uprising in Iran. The report was also cited by Dr. Zaid Abdulwahab Al-Adhami (Post Impact: 5%).

8. Discussions on Iranian Influence in Iraqi Politics

The extent of Iranian influence over Iraqi politics was another recurring theme. Dr. Zaid Abdulwahab Al-Adhami (Post Impact: 24%) posted a picture of an Iraqi member of parliament appearing in a television interview with a portrait of Iran’s Supreme Leader behind him. Separately, Husam Altaee (Post Impact: 17%) shared a video clip in which it was claimed that the late Iranian general Qasem Soleimani told Mustafa Al-Kadhimi he would not become prime minister while Soleimani was alive. The post’s author commented, “Imagine a Persian officer choosing the prime minister of an ancient country like Iraq.” These posts collectively highlight perceptions of deep-rooted Iranian sway over Iraqi political figures and state decisions.

9. Debates on Disarming Militias and State Control

The issue of armed groups operating outside of state control prompted significant discussion. Ali Farhan (Post Impact: 15%) posed a question, noting that both the Sadrist Movement and the Coordination Framework claim to support confining weapons to state hands, and asking who the armed “resisting Shiites” who reject this actually represent. In a related post, Dr. Zaid Abdulwahab Al-Adhami (Post Impact: 7%) cited the Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper, reporting that a high-level Iraqi committee is close to finalizing a plan to disarm factions, which will be presented to US officials.

10. Ban on Telegram Lifted in Iraq

The decision by Iraq’s Communications and Media Commission (CMC) to lift the block on the Telegram application was announced by several accounts. Hayder (Post Impact: 12%) reported that the ban was lifted after the application’s management pledged to comply with Iraqi regulatory and legal requirements. Yasser Eljuboori (Post Impact: 6%) also shared the news, announcing the resumption of the service in Iraq. The posts indicate the resolution of a dispute between the Iraqi government and the messaging platform.