Based on an analysis of 436 posts trending on August 18, 2026, Miqrab AI identified several key narratives dominating X / Twitter in Iraq. The most prominent theme revolved around deep-seated political and sectarian tensions, particularly contrasting past Sunni governance with the current “Shiite governance” and debating the role of Iran-aligned factions within the state’s security apparatus. A significant portion of the conversation focused on the debate over disarming militias, with some accounts defining the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) as inseparable from armed factions, while others defended their necessity. Concurrently, there was widespread discussion about freedom of the press, spurred by the Communications and Media Commission’s suspension of several journalists and programs, which many users viewed as an attempt to silence dissent. High-level diplomatic activities, such as meetings with Turkish officials and an upcoming visit by Iran’s parliamentary speaker, also featured prominently, alongside ongoing humanitarian concerns about Iraqis displaced from regions like Jurf al-Sakhr.

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

1. Debates Over Past and Present Sectarian Governance

A highly engaged topic on Iraqi social media involves a contentious debate over sectarian governance. The most impactful post on this subject, by Haruf Sumaria (Post Impact: 100%), shared a video with the caption, “35 years this is how the #Sunni governance ruled Iraq,” suggesting a critical view of the pre-2003 era. In response, other accounts criticized the current political order. Rusly Al-Maliki (Post Impact: 19%) argued that the “Shiite governance” boasts about fighting ISIS but forgets that its own mismanagement and failure led to the group’s rise in the first place. Another user, Dr. Qusay Shafiq (Post Impact: 19%), expressed nationalist sentiment, stating, “Yes, we reject the rule of the Persian Safavid in Iraq… Iraq is for Iraqis.”

2. Defining the PMF and its Factions’ Role

The relationship between the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), armed factions, and the Iraqi state was a central point of discussion. Rusly Al-Maliki (Post Impact: 65%) argued that there is no meaningful distinction between the PMF and the factions, listing prominent groups like Kata’ib Hezbollah, Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq, and Harakat al-Nujaba and their corresponding brigade numbers within the official PMF structure. He concluded, “Talking about the factions as Hashd, or talking about the Hashd as factions, there is no suitable third expression.” In another post, Rusly Al-Maliki (Post Impact: 21%) described these militias as an “Iranian army on Iraqi soil” that does not want a state. This view was echoed by Adnan Al-Taei (Post Impact: 30%), who accused the “Brigades” of writing a “‘statement number one’ for a coup against the state.” In contrast, Ahmad Abdulsada (Post Impact: 14%) defended the necessity of the “resistance’s” weapons, arguing that the official Iraqi army is constrained by political pressures and cannot use its weapons to strike US or Turkish bases, making the factions essential for national deterrence.

3. Media Commission Bans Journalists and Programs

A wave of suspensions by Iraq’s Communications and Media Commission (CMC) against journalists and television programs sparked a significant backlash and a debate on freedom of speech. Journalist Ali Farhan (Post Impact: 54%) announced that his program was stopped but vowed to continue communicating with his audience through social media videos. Similarly, Mashaan al-Jabouri (Post Impact: 11%) stated he was banned for 90 days following an interview with Farhan. Accounts like Yasser Eljuboori (Post Impact: 28%) and Salim Al-Jumaili (Post Impact: 15%) reported that analyst Ahmed al-Sharifi was banned for 90 days after stating on air that Iraqis would not accept being ruled by an “Ajami” (Persian). Criticizing the move, Munqith Dagher (Post Impact: 11%) compared the CMC to the Ba’athist-era Ministry of Information and warned that restricting freedom of expression is a dangerous trend.

4. Criticism and Defense of Iranian Influence

Sentiment regarding Iranian influence in Iraq was strongly expressed, with many posts critical of the Iranian regime and its leaders. Rusly Al-Maliki (Post Impact: 55%) shared a picture from Ayatollah Khomeini’s chaotic funeral, attributing a quote to him: “(He whose funeral falls is in Hell).” In other posts, he listed the “Khomeinists” alongside ISIS and the Muslim Brotherhood as groups that “do not recognize homelands” and detailed Iran’s severe economic crisis. In a contrasting view, Najah Muhammad Ali (Post Impact: 30%), a pro-Iran account, anticipated an upcoming speech by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, predicting it would provoke a “hysterical peak” of outrage from his opponents, comparing the “voice of truth” to poison in their ears.

5. PM al-Zaydi Discusses Economic Ties With Turkey

Official diplomatic engagements, particularly with Turkey, were a key topic. The Prime Minister’s Media Office (Post Impact: 53%) reported that Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaydi met with former Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Lütfi Elvan and a delegation of Turkish businessmen. According to the post, the meeting focused on enhancing economic cooperation and encouraging Turkish companies to invest in major Iraqi projects. These include the construction and operation of airports, railway projects as part of the Development Road initiative, a metro line connecting Najaf and Karbala, and investments in the electricity and agricultural sectors. The statement conveyed that the Turkish delegation expressed the readiness of major Turkish firms to enter the Iraqi market, citing growing confidence in the investment environment provided by the government.

6. Visit by Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf

The upcoming visit of Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf to Iraq garnered significant attention. Pro-resistance account Dr. Hussein Al-Safi (Post Impact: 40%) announced the visit, welcoming Ghalibaf as the “Shiite lion” and “humiliator of America and its friends.” News aggregator account Haidar (Post Impact: 10%) reported that the two-day visit would involve meetings with Iraqi leaders to discuss several issues, including the export of Iraqi oil through the Strait of Hormuz. Raising security concerns, Mohamed Almaroof (Post Impact: 14%) questioned whether Baghdad had obtained “special Israeli guarantees” not to target Iranian officials during their visit, speculating about potential back-channel communications.

7. Humanitarian Crisis of Displaced Sunni Families

The dire situation of displaced Sunni populations, particularly those from areas controlled by militias, was highlighted in several posts. Othman Al-Mukhtar (Post Impact: 37%) shared a video from the al-Muwayliha camp in Anbar, describing it as populated mainly by women and orphans from areas like Jurf al-Sakhr and Aziz Balad. He stated they lack basic necessities like water and electricity and face widespread diseases, calling for aid. In a related post, Al-Mukhtar (Post Impact: 14%) listed numerous Sunni areas across several provinces that he claims are occupied by PMF-affiliated militias, preventing an estimated one million people from returning home for over a decade.

8. Arrest Warrant for Babil Official Defending Militias

An arrest warrant issued for a local official in Babil for defending militia weapons became a prominent news story. Several accounts, including Shaho Al-Qaradaghi (Post Impact: 15%) and Dr. Zaid Abdulwahab Al-Adhami (Post Impact: 11%), reported that a warrant was issued for Muhannad al-Anzi, head of the Babil Provincial Council’s security committee. The warrant followed a speech in which he declared, “The resistance’s weapon is a red line, even above red.” The account Haidar (Post Impact: 11%) characterized his statements as “insulting” to the prime minister. Yasser Eljuboori (Post Impact: 11%) commented sarcastically on the incident, noting the “resistance men’s” respect for the state and the law.

9. Support for PM Al-Zaydi Amid Political Tensions

Amid rising political tensions, several X / Twitter users voiced support for Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaydi and criticized his opponents. Asaad Al-Basri (Post Impact: 32%) praised the prime minister as a “serious and important speaker,” pushing back against what he described as negative rumors. In a lengthy post, Ahmed Al-Thawaq (Post Impact: 24%) defended al-Zaydi against threats, reminding readers that he was chosen by the Shia Coordination Framework and urging opponents to use parliamentary channels to withdraw confidence rather than resorting to intimidation. He condemned the pattern of “demonizing” political figures, arguing that it only serves Iraq’s enemies.

10. Israeli Airstrikes Reported on Syrian Military Airport

A regional security development drawing commentary from Iraqi accounts was the reported Israeli airstrike on the Abu al-Duhur military airport in Idlib, Syria. Haidar (Post Impact: 21%) reported that Israel launched a series of “violent” raids on the Syrian airport. Accounts sympathetic to the “resistance axis” framed the attack as an act of aggression that exposed the weakness of other regional powers. Issam Hussein (Post Impact: 16%) noted that while Gulf media planned to blame Iran, Israeli newspapers admitted responsibility, adding that Gulf countries now face the “difficult task” of condemning the attack. Similarly, Dr. Hussein Al-Safi (Post Impact: 11%) questioned whether the “triple alliance” (presumably referring to Turkey and its allies) would respond to the strike on a Turkish-affiliated base.