Based on an analysis of 439 Facebook posts by Miqrab AI, the key themes trending in Iraq on December 10, 2024, revolved around national identity, security, and sports. The seventh anniversary of “Victory Day” over ISIS was a dominant topic, with official and public pages paying tribute to the sacrifices of security forces and martyrs. In sports, there was significant discussion about Real Madrid’s win in the Champions League and widespread discontent over the exclusion of player Mohammed Qassem from the national team’s Gulf Cup squad. A high-impact investigative report also drew attention to allegations of torture within the anti-drug directorate. Other prominent stories included Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani’s diplomatic and commemorative activities, developments in neighboring Syria, and a weather forecast predicting an approaching cold wave.

Today’s Top 10 Facebook Trends in Iraq:

1. Commemorations for the 7th Anniversary of Victory Day

Iraqi officials and media pages widely commemorated the seventh anniversary of “Victory Day,” marking the liberation of Iraqi territories from ISIS. Prime Minister Mohamed Shia’ Al Sudani (Post Impact: 18%) emphasized that the celebration begins with remembering the martyrs, whose sacrifices enabled the country’s current security and development. His page highlighted the role of all security forces—the Army, Police, PMF, and Peshmerga—and the “blessed fatwa of the esteemed religious authority.” The Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service (ICTS) (Post Impact: 13%) marked the occasion by graduating a new class of special operations forces, linking their new responsibilities to the legacy of those who fought in the liberation battles. Other pages like Tele Iraq (Post Impact: 12%) and Iraqeen W Bas (Post Impact: 8%) shared posts and videos of military parades, describing the day as a “symbol of sacrifice and the unity of the people for a free and proud nation.”

2. Real Madrid Secures Champions League Victory

Sports and entertainment pages celebrated Real Madrid’s 3-2 victory over Atalanta in the UEFA Champions League. Al-Khawa Al-Nadhifa (Post Impact: 45%) announced the result, congratulating the team’s fans. Similarly, Set Ashwaq um Al-Qanounia (Post Impact: 32%) shared a congratulatory message, acknowledging the difficult nature of the win by stating, “Congratulations my Madridi darlings, I know it was a tough night.” The page Bab Al-Toob (Post Impact: 4%) also reported on the “difficult victory” achieved by the Spanish club. The posts collectively reflected the excitement and relief of the team’s Iraqi fanbase following the match.

3. Outrage Over Mohammed Qassem’s National Team Exclusion

Several sports and news pages reported on the decision by national team coach Jesús Casas to exclude player Mohammed Qassem from the final squad for the upcoming Gulf Cup 26, sparking negative reactions online. Al-Khawa Al-Nadhifa (Post Impact: 33%) was among the first to break the news of the exclusion. The page Baghdad (Post Impact: 18%) highlighted the public’s reaction, describing it as “widespread athletic public discontent over the exclusion of the distinguished player.” Al-Iraq 24 (Post Impact: 13%) also shared the final squad list announced by Casas and questioned the decision by asking, “Where is the mistake??”, reflecting the sentiment of many fans who felt the player deserved a spot on the team.

4. Citizen Alleges Torture by Anti-Drug Directorate

In a video report with the highest engagement of the day, journalist Haider al-Hamdani (Post Impact: 100%) interviewed a citizen who recounted the “dark days” he experienced during an investigation by the anti-drug directorate. The man claimed he was subjected to torture, describing how interrogators hung him up, used him as a swing, and poured water into his mouth. According to the post, the man was later found to be innocent and was acquitted of all charges. The citizen’s testimony, as shared by al-Hamdani, highlights a case of wrongful arrest and alleged abuse of power, as he stated, “In the end, it turned out they were mistaken, so I was released with an acquittal!”

5. PM Al-Sudani Meets with US General and Martyrs’ Families

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani’s official activities were a focus of multiple posts. His page, Mohamed Shia’ Al Sudani (Post Impact: 11%), reported on his meeting with the Commander of U.S. Central Command, General Michael Kurilla. Discussions covered cooperation in combating terrorism and the evolving situation in Syria, with Al Sudani affirming Iraq’s commitment to the international coalition while stressing the need to respect Syrian sovereignty. This meeting was also covered by the Prime Minister’s Media Office (Post Impact: 4%). On the same day, Al Sudani met with families of martyrs who fell during the war against ISIS, reiterating that the state has a duty to guarantee their rights and honor their sacrifices, as reported on his official page.

6. Israel’s Expansion in Syria and Arrests of Ex-Regime Figures

Following the collapse of the Assad regime, Iraqi pages turned their attention to developments in Syria, particularly Israel’s military movements. Steven Nabil (Post Impact: 14%) reported that Israel is continuing to expand and occupy land in Syria, having reached Quneitra after previously taking control of Mount Hermon and border areas. In a related story, Iraqeen W Bas (Post Impact: 11%) shared news of the arrest of Talal Dakkak, who was allegedly responsible for feeding opponents of Bashar al-Assad’s regime to lions. Meanwhile, Steven Nabil also shared details from inside Assad’s palace, noting that items found included books on the Russian armed forces, a map of northeastern Syria, and anti-anxiety medication, citing the Wall Street Journal.

7. Mohammed Al-Halbousi Concludes Visit to the United States

Mohammed Al-Halbousi, President of the Taqaddum Party, concluded his visit to the United States with a meeting with the Iraqi diaspora in Michigan. His official page, Mohammed Al-Halbousi (Post Impact: 7%), stated that the visit included a stop at the Chaldean Community Foundation, where he discussed the conditions of the Christian component in Iraq and affirmed that guaranteeing their rights and participation in state institutions is a cornerstone of a state of freedom and citizenship. Journalist Steven Nabil (Post Impact: 10%) also covered the visit, noting that the talks centered on ensuring the rights of Christians and providing services to their cities and regions. Politician Dr. Nawar Asim (Post Impact: 7%), who was part of the delegation, also posted about the warm reception from the Iraqi community in Michigan.

8. Weather Forecasters Warn of an Approaching Cold Wave

Weather-focused pages warned of a significant drop in temperatures expected across Iraq. The page Telescope Iraq (Post Impact: 25%) announced that a polar mass would reach Baghdad on the night of Friday/Saturday. The page warned of a “radical shift with a drop in temperatures that you will feel then.” This forecast was echoed by Diyala TV (Post Impact: 4%), which cited a weather forecaster who predicted a “severe cold wave” beginning on Saturday.

9. Satirical Show Albasheer Show Features Poet Thair Shuaib

The popular satirical program Albasheer Show (Post Impact: 51%) shared a clip from its “Layali Albasheer 2024” segment featuring poet Thair Shuaib. The post included lines from his performance, such as “What is this Real [Madrid], it has no comeback?” and “What champions they take, and you are the champion.” The video garnered high engagement, indicating continued popularity for the show’s blend of poetry, comedy, and social commentary among its Iraqi audience.

10. Baghdad Named Arab Tourism Capital for 2025

Pages celebrated the news that Baghdad was selected as the Arab Tourism Capital for 2025. Babylon Gods’ Gate (Post Impact: 10%) shared the announcement from the Arab Tourism Organization, stating that “The beautiful city of Baghdad is shining again, after more than two decades of pain and destruction, and is returning to its splendid form.” The page Lesh Network (Post Impact: 5%) also reported on the selection, sharing the news with its followers. The announcement was framed as a positive development signaling a new era for the Iraqi capital.