Based on an analysis of 21 X / Twitter posts trending on January 12, 2025, Miqrab AI has identified several key narratives circulating in Iraq. The most prominent discussions focus on regional geopolitical tensions, with significant speculation about a potential conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel. Another major theme is the ongoing conflict in Syria, with commentary on the actions of various factions and their foreign backers, particularly Iran and Turkey. Domestically, there is discussion surrounding the status of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF). Beyond politics, a major international football match between Real Madrid and Barcelona generated substantial engagement, alongside posts of religious and cultural significance.

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

1. Israeli Army’s Distribution of Qurans to Muslim Soldiers

A post by Mahdi Majeed (Post Impact: 57%) has drawn significant attention by sharing a photo of a Quran reportedly being distributed to Muslim soldiers in the Israeli army. Majeed expresses his personal respect for Islam, stating he has memorized verses from the Quran. He addresses Muslims directly, saying, “You have a great religion to be proud of, just apply it in your lives and you will become a role model to be emulated like the Prophet Muhammad.” The post highlights an unusual aspect of the Israeli military while offering a message of admiration for Islamic teachings.

2. Anticipation of US/Israeli Confrontation with Iran

Speculation about a major regional escalation is a dominant theme, led by a high-impact post from Rusly Al-Maliki (Post Impact: 100%). Al-Maliki analyzes the current situation, noting hostage negotiations in Qatar, Hezbollah’s reduced control in Lebanon, and regime change in Syria. He concludes that these developments mean “The entity and the United States are now completely free for Khamenei, and I expect Iran itself will be hit to force it out of Yemen and Iraq, whether with a military or economic strike.” This sentiment is echoed by Mahdi Jasem (Post Impact: 22%), who believes “Iran will shuffle the cards before Trump takes over.. It will not give up easily and this may cost it dearly.”

3. Commentary on Real Madrid’s Decisive Win Over Barcelona

The El Clásico football match was a major topic of conversation, with numerous accounts commenting on Real Madrid’s victory. Hiba Alnnayib (Post Impact: 22%) joked about the lopsided score, asking why the religious authority was silent about what was happening to Real Madrid. Dr. Ali Al-Jabiri (Post Impact: 2%) described the match as an assault rather than a football game. Other accounts like Yasser Eljuboori (Post Impact: 5%) and Hassan AL HAMMADI (Post Impact: 4%) also commented on the game’s progress and outcome, reflecting the widespread interest in the event among Iraqi social media users.

4. Shia Coordination Framework Denies PMF Merger Plans

A political development within Iraq was highlighted by Raad Hashim (Post Impact: 18%), who reported on a statement from the Shia Coordination Framework. According to the post, the Framework has officially denied any demands to withdraw the Popular Mobilization Forces (Hashd al-Sha’abi) from specific areas or to merge the force into the Ministry of Defense. This denial addresses rumors about significant structural changes to one of Iraq’s key security institutions.

5. Iran Accused of Supplying Drones to SDF in Syria

Accusations of Iranian interference in Syria were voiced by Zina Al Saab (Post Impact: 13%). Citing Western reports, her post claims that Iran is supplying Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF or Qasd) with drones. She asserts that the purpose of this is to “prolong the conflict in Syria,” and she criticizes Iran’s actions with the remark, “Damn you Iran, what a harmful pest!!” This highlights a narrative of Iran playing a destabilizing role in the Syrian conflict by arming various factions.

6. Commemoration of Imam Ali’s Birth in the Kaaba

A post of religious significance from Sabah Al-Saadi (Post Impact: 7%) commemorates the birth of Imam Ali inside the Kaaba. The account describes this event as a miracle that “embodied the (integrative bond) between the symbol of monotheism, which is the Kaaba, and the reality of monotheism, which is Imam Ali.” The post emphasizes the unique and miraculous nature of this event in Islamic history, framing it as a divine sign of Imam Ali’s revered status.

7. Criticism of United States Foreign Policy

A critical view of American foreign policy was expressed by Sheikh Falah Al-Quraishi (Post Impact: 6%). Accompanied by an image of a burning landscape with an American flag, the post makes a strong statement about the perceived nature of U.S. involvement in global affairs, asserting, “America does not know how to extinguish fires, it only knows how to start them.” This reflects a narrative of the United States as a source of conflict and instability in the world.

8. Accounts Criticize Syrian Leader Al-Jolani’s Shifting Alliances

The leader of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, was the subject of criticism regarding his perceived ideological inconsistency. Mazen Al-Zaidi (Post Impact: 5%) pointed out the contradiction of people who now praise Al-Jolani but previously called for the elimination of those who fought against him in 2014. He sarcastically notes how Al-Jolani was considered “Iranian in 2014” but is now seen as a “nationalist, Arabist, liberationist in 2025.” Similarly, Sufian Al-Samarrai (Post Impact: 4%) accuses Al-Jolani of hypocrisy for advocating revolution to build nations while simultaneously threatening stable neighboring countries.

9. Al-Jolani Accused of Deceiving Fighters in Syria

In a more specific accusation, Sufian Al-Samarrai (Post Impact: 3%) claims that Al-Jolani’s “gangs” are recruiting fighters from around the world to combat the Kurdish-led SDF. According to the post, these recruits are falsely told that the SDF members are Shia and Alawites, when in reality they are Sunni Arabs and Kurds. Al-Samarrai alleges that Al-Jolani engages in this deception and hypocrisy “for the sake of Erdogan and a handful of dollars.”

10. Local Political Outreach in Salah al-Din Province

On the domestic front, politician Muthana Al-Samarrai (Post Impact: 0%) shared an update about his activities in Salah al-Din province. He reported on his visit to the guesthouse of Haj Abdullah Al-Rashid Al-Darb Al-Azzawi in the village of Al-Bujili. The post notes that he was received by Sheikh Munir Al-Mutlaq Al-Abdullah Al-Azzawi and met with various tribal elders from the village, highlighting routine political and tribal engagement at the local level.