2026-09-01: Praise for Sheikh Qais al-Khazali’s Leadership
Based on an analysis of (514) X / Twitter posts trending on September 1, 2026, Miqrab AI found that online discussions in Iraq were dominated by several major narratives. The most prominent conversations revolved around the escalating military conflict between the United States and Iran, with numerous reports of US strikes and Iranian retaliation. Domestically, there was widespread outrage following a statement by political leader Hadi al-Amiri, which users interpreted as an admission that armed factions were responsible for suppressing the Tishreen protests. In parallel, posts praising the leadership of Sheikh Qais al-Khazali gained significant traction. Other key topics included the Iraqi government’s decisions regarding control over factional weapons, reports of internal unrest within Iran, and debates over a new military helicopter deal with the US.
Table Of Content
- 1. Praise for Sheikh Qais al-Khazali’s Leadership
- 2. Outrage Over Hadi al-Amiri’s Tishreen Comments
- 3. US Threats and Military Action Against Iran
- 4. Govt. Rejects PMF Control of Factional Weapons
- 5. Reports of Unrest and Economic Collapse in Iran
- 6. Debating Iraq’s Contradictory Economic Reality
- 7. PM Zaydi’s Activities and US Endorsement
- 8. Reports of Iranian Retaliatory Strikes
- 9. Security Raids Targeting Tishreen Activists
- 10. Iraq’s $800M Helicopter Deal with the US
Today’s Top 10 X (Twitter) Trends in Iraq:
1. Praise for Sheikh Qais al-Khazali’s Leadership
A highly engaged narrative centered on praise for the leadership of Sheikh Qais al-Khazali. Dr. Haydar Al-Barzanji (Post Impact: 100%) wrote that in difficult situations, leaders are measured by their ability to prioritize the nation’s interest, stating that Sheikh Khazali has repeatedly proven his commitment to Iraq’s sovereignty and security. The post argues that Iraq needs leaders who take responsibility with a “national mindset and a firm will.” Similarly, Sabereen news (Post Impact: 16%) described him as “a man whose prestige is not measured by many words, but by the weight of his stance and the firmness of his covenant,” portraying him as a steadfast figure in times of crisis. These posts frame al-Khazali as a crucial and principled leader dedicated to protecting the nation from internal and external challenges.
2. Outrage Over Hadi al-Amiri’s Tishreen Comments
A statement by Hadi al-Amiri about the 2019 Tishreen protests sparked a massive wave of condemnation across Iraqi X/Twitter. Users widely interpreted his comment that “resistance” factions confronted the “sedition of Tishreen” as a long-awaited confession of who was responsible for killing protestors. Shaho Al-Qaradaghi (Post Impact: 75%) sarcastically noted, “This is how the resistance factions were sniping the youth to eliminate the sedition, according to Haj Hadi al-Amiri!” and questioned how an unarmed young man with a flag could be considered “sedition.” Many accounts, including Adnan Al-Taie (Post Impact: 60%) and Dr. Qusai Shafiq (Post Impact: 35%), labeled the remark a “slip of the tongue” that revealed the identity of the “sniper” and the “third party.” Accounts like Ali Farhan (Post Impact: 56%) and Tamara Alkhazraji (Post Impact: 45%) listed the names of fallen activists and journalists, directly blaming the “resistance” for their deaths based on al-Amiri’s admission.
3. US Threats and Military Action Against Iran
Tensions between the United States and Iran were a major focus, with accounts circulating strong threats from American officials and reporting on military operations. Rusly Al-Maliki (Post Impact: 69%) shared a video of the US Treasury Secretary stating, “We will cut off the head of the snake of the Iranian regime, and we will bury it at sunset.” The same account also posted a purported statement from Donald Trump threatening a “great attack on Iran” (Rusly Al-Maliki (Post Impact: 56%)). In a separate post, David Yassin (Post Impact: 47%) described alleged US operations targeting infrastructure at Iran’s Bandar Abbas port as a move from “paper sanctions to ‘direct field strangulation'” to cut off Iran’s oil exports and financial liquidity. Rafid Jaboori (Post Impact: 16%) also reported on US strikes on multiple locations in the Strait of Hormuz, calling it a “new stage of escalation.”
4. Govt. Rejects PMF Control of Factional Weapons
A report about the Iraqi government’s decision on the control of weapons belonging to armed factions generated significant discussion. Rusly Al-Maliki (Post Impact: 51%), citing Erem News, reported that the Iraqi government rejected a proposal to transfer factional weapons to Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) warehouses. Instead, the government’s decision reportedly “stipulates that the weapons be transferred exclusively to the warehouses of the Iraqi army.” This development prompted further debate from accounts like Ali Farhan (Post Impact: 49%), who posed a hypothetical question about the consequences if factions refuse to surrender their arms and the US imposes economic sanctions, asking if subsequent popular protests over hunger and lost wages would also be labeled a “sedition” and suppressed.
5. Reports of Unrest and Economic Collapse in Iran
Multiple accounts shared posts detailing signs of growing internal instability and economic crisis within Iran. Aayad Al Twfan (Post Impact: 46%) shared a video mocking an Iranian military parade. Other posts highlighted the country’s severe economic problems, with Rusly Al-Maliki (Post Impact: 20%) noting the continued collapse of the Iranian currency, which had fallen to 214,000 toman per US dollar. The same account also shared a video purportedly showing “Iranian girls stepping on the Toman with their shoes” (Rusly Al-Maliki (Post Impact: 40%)). Reports of direct action against the regime also circulated, with Mujtahid Al-Iraq (Post Impact: 21%) describing a “heroic operation” where a car allegedly rammed into a gathering of IRGC supporters in Mashhad.
6. Debating Iraq’s Contradictory Economic Reality
A debate emerged regarding the true economic situation in Iraq, prompted by conflicting portrayals of life in the country. Mahdi Majeed (Post Impact: 39%) expressed confusion, noting that while he sees videos of modern cars, upscale restaurants, and crowded global brand cafes, he also reads posts from Iraqis claiming “(Iraq is unlivable and the entire population is poor).” He asked, “Which of these represents the reality of Iraq?” In a related post, the same account highlighted a potential solution to youth unemployment by proposing a plan to open a branch of the BNP Paribas bank in Iraq, which would allow young people to receive earnings from platforms like YouTube and TikTok, thereby creating a new source of income and reducing joblessness (Mahdi Majeed (Post Impact: 21%)).
7. PM Zaydi’s Activities and US Endorsement
The actions of Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaydi and his government received attention, highlighted by official announcements and reports of international support. The Prime Minister’s Media Office (Post Impact: 38%) announced that the PM made a phone call to former Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari to check on his health, praising his national role. The same office also announced a directive to supply private generators with subsidized fuel to ensure at least 20 hours of electricity per day for citizens (Prime Minister’s Media Office (Post Impact: 22%)). This domestic activity was complemented by a report from Ali Farhan (Post Impact: 14%), citing the US State Department, which stated that “Iraq has started a new path under the leadership of Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaydi in full cooperation with the United States” and that President Trump supports his vision.
8. Reports of Iranian Retaliatory Strikes
Following news of US military action, pro-Iran accounts and news aggregators began reporting on Iranian retaliation against American targets. Dr. Hussein Al-Safi (Post Impact: 37%) posted a cryptic message predicting that the “party will start soon” in Gulf countries and Jordan. Later, accounts like Ahmad Abdulsada (Post Impact: 14%) and Haydar (Post Impact: 14%) shared videos and reports claiming Iranian missiles were striking the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan. The narrative was not entirely triumphant, as Rusly Al-Maliki (Post Impact: 31%) shared a video of a failed Iranian missile launch, showing the projectile falling back inside Iranian territory. Accounts also noted Iranian missiles and drones passing through Iraqi airspace en route to their targets.
9. Security Raids Targeting Tishreen Activists
Attention was drawn to ongoing security pressure on activists associated with the Tishreen protest movement. Multiple posts from Abu Maryam (Post Impact: 21%) reported that security forces raided the home of activist Dhergham Majed in Al-Midhatiya, Babil province, to execute an arrest warrant, though they did not find him. Another post from the same account showed a video of a military deployment in the Hamza al-Gharbi area, also in Babil, with the stated purpose of arresting Majed (Abu Maryam (Post Impact: 17%)). These posts suggest that security operations against key figures from the protest movement are continuing.
10. Iraq’s $800M Helicopter Deal with the US
News of the United States approving an $800 million military sale to Iraq for various Bell helicopters sparked discussion and debate online. Haydar (Post Impact: 15%) provided a detailed list of the equipment included in the deal, such as Bell 412EPX and Bell 407M helicopters, rocket launchers, and training. However, the deal was met with criticism from some users. In a follow-up post, Haydar (Post Impact: 15%) argued that the nearly one billion dollars would have been better spent on air defense systems, questioning the priority of purchasing helicopters while Iraq’s airspace remains vulnerable. Rusly Al-Maliki (Post Impact: 18%) also commented on the predictability of the purchase, stating he knew they would be Bell helicopters.




