Based on an analysis of 410 Facebook posts trending on December 18, 2024, Miqrab AI found that online conversations in Iraq were dominated by a mix of international sports, high-level diplomacy, and domestic political decrees. The top narratives focused on Real Madrid’s victory in the Intercontinental Cup, followed closely by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani’s diplomatic visit to Saudi Arabia and his subsequent directive to government advisors to curb unauthorized media statements. Other significant topics included key government appointments, tragic local news from Diyala, and citizen complaints about severe shortages of electricity and hot water as winter sets in.

Today’s Top 10 Facebook Trends in Iraq:

1. Real Madrid Wins the Intercontinental Cup

Facebook pages widely celebrated Real Madrid’s victory over the Mexican team Pachuca in the Intercontinental Cup. Pages like Al-Khwa Al-Nadhifa (The Clean Brotherhood) (Post Impact: 100%) announced that the club won with a decisive score of 3-0 to be crowned champions. Other pages, including Bab Al-Toob (Post Impact: 10%) and Mosul – MOSUL (Post Impact: 5%), shared the news, highlighting the team’s achievement and posting celebratory images of the win.

2. PM Al-Sudani Meets Saudi Crown Prince in Al-Ula

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani’s short visit to Saudi Arabia to meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman garnered significant attention. Official pages like Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani (Post Impact: 59%) and the Prime Minister’s Media Office (Post Impact: 14%) stated the meeting in Al-Ula focused on regional developments, particularly the situation in Syria, the “tragic situation in Gaza,” and the ceasefire in Lebanon. News page Iraq 24 (Post Impact: 42%) also shared video footage of the two leaders together. The Prime Minister’s office emphasized Iraq’s commitment to Syrian territorial integrity and its readiness to cooperate with regional partners to ensure stability.

3. PM Restricts Advisors’ Media Statements

The Prime Minister’s Media Office (Post Impact: 75%) issued a statement directing Prime Minister Al-Sudani’s advisors to refrain from making personal statements to the press that contradict state policy. The directive requires advisors to obtain official approval before speaking to the media and gives them a choice: continue their official work in silence or resign to express their personal opinions freely. Pages like Iraq 24 (Post Impact: 14%) reiterated the main points of the statement. Analyst Rusly Al-Maliki (Post Impact: 7%) noted that this بيان came after a recent controversial statement by advisor Ibrahim Al-Sumaidaie regarding the dismantling of resistance factions.

4. Major General Omar Al-Waili Reappointed to Border Ports

Prime Minister Al-Sudani has reappointed Major General Omar Al-Waili as the head of the Border Ports Authority, a decision that was widely reported. Al-Khwa Al-Nadhifa (The Clean Brotherhood) (Post Impact: 67%) noted that the reappointment comes ten months after Al-Waili was dismissed from the same position. The page Support for Iraqi Security Forces (Post Impact: 15%) also announced the news, sharing a photo of the Major General.

5. Media Personalities Announce Upcoming Baghdad Event

A short promotional video posted by Journalist Qahtan Adnan (Post Impact: 94%) generated significant buzz online. The clip announced an upcoming event or collaboration in Baghdad featuring three prominent media figures: Qahtan Adnan, Ahmed Al-Basheer, and Al-Hamdani. The post simply stated, “In Baghdad soon.. #Qahtan and #Al-Basheer and #Al-Hamdani,” leaving followers to anticipate what the high-profile gathering will entail.

6. Citizen Laments Severe Electricity and Water Shortages

A post by Set Ashwaq Um Al-Qanouniya (Post Impact: 85%) captured public frustration with the lack of basic services. The page directly addressed the authorities, demanding a solution for either hot water or electricity. The post expressed exasperation, stating, “Either provide us with hot water or find a solution for the electricity. We want to take a shower, there has been no shower for a week.” This complaint resonated widely, reflecting a common struggle among citizens.

7. Family Dies in Diyala from Gas Heater Leak

A tragic incident in Diyala province was reported by several pages, mourning the death of a family due to a gas heater leak. Diyala TV (Post Impact: 20%) shared photos of the two children who died along with their family in Abu Saida. Latest Iraqi Events (Post Impact: 9%) identified the family as belonging to an affiliate named Firas Jabbar Aloush and stated that his wife and four children (two boys and two girls) had passed away, describing the event as a “very painful tragedy.”

8. Power Outage at Sayyidah Zaynab Shrine in Syria

News circulated that the shrine of Sayyidah Zaynab in Syria is facing a power outage. According to Khabar Ajel (Urgent News) (Post Impact: 24%), the shrine’s lights will be turned off starting today because the fuel for its generators has run out. The page quoted officials managing the holy site as saying, “the shrine will remain without lighting until fuel is secured.” Latest Iraqi Events (Post Impact: 5%) also reported on the blackout, linking it to the ongoing electricity crisis.

9. High-Level Security Meeting Held in Karbala

The Al-Abbas Combat Division / Brigade 26 (Post Impact: 12%) page reported that a high-level security meeting was held in Karbala, attended by the Army Chief of Staff, the Deputy Commander of Joint Operations, and other senior defense officials. The meeting, which included the leadership of the Al-Abbas Combat Division, focused on the deployment of units and their readiness for assigned tasks. In a separate post, the page’s commander, Maytham Al-Zaidi (Post Impact: 14%), provided further details, stating that they discussed security measures, expected scenarios, and preparedness in light of regional developments, adding that there is “high coordination and continuous communication” with all security agencies.

10. Journalist Jailed Over Article Critical of Official

The imprisonment of journalist Hamad Farhan sparked discussion about freedom of expression. Lawyer and activist Basim Khazal Khashan (Post Impact: 14%) reported that Farhan was sentenced to six months in prison for an article questioning alleged violations in a land allocation to official Haider Al-Hamdani. Khashan argued that the article was based on official reports from the Federal Board of Supreme Audit and that proving the facts should negate the crime of defamation. He concluded that “freedom of expression in Muthanna has narrowed.” Meanwhile, Haider Khalaf Ghazi (Post Impact: 38%), seemingly a page for Al-Hamdani himself, posted a cryptic message vowing mercy and prayers for a deceased person, which users in the comments linked to the controversy with the journalist.