Based on an analysis of 385 Facebook posts trending on December 30, 2024, Miqrab AI identified several key narratives circulating in Iraq. Security-related news dominated conversations, with widespread mourning for a Counter-Terrorism Service soldier killed in clashes with ISIS, alongside announcements of successful follow-up operations. Public discourse also focused heavily on government activities, including allegations of wasteful spending by the Ministry of Electricity, new cabinet decisions impacting gold prices, and anti-corruption efforts such as the arrest of a high-ranking airport security official. Positive attention was given to new infrastructure developments like the opening of a major overpass in Baghdad. Additionally, social media buzzed with updates on a high-profile murder case, rumors about New Year’s Eve closures, and anticipation for the upcoming year’s religious calendar.

Today’s Top 10 Facebook Trends in Iraq:

1. Mourning for Counter-Terrorism Soldier Killed in Hamrin Mountains

The official page for the Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service ICTS (Post Impact: 99%) announced the death of soldier Hadi Hamid Na’ama during clashes with ISIS militants in the Hamrin Mountains. The head of the CTS, Lieutenant General Karim al-Tamimi, issued a statement mourning the “hero martyr” and offering condolences to his family for his sacrifice in “answering the nation’s call.” Other pages, including Maher Mouhi::Voice of the Nation’s Protectors (Post Impact: 24%) and Support for Iraqi Security Forces (Post Impact: 13%), shared emotional content such as a photo of the martyr’s bed and a video showing the arrival of his body. These posts prompted a widespread outpouring of condolences and grief from the public across Iraqi social media.

2. Cabinet Approves Increase in Gold Hallmarking Fees

The Iraqi Council of Ministers has approved a significant increase in the fees for examining and hallmarking gold. According to a detailed announcement on the official page of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani (Post Impact: 18%), the fee per kilogram of gold jewelry will rise from 200,000 to 350,000 Iraqi dinars. The fee for hallmarking gold bars will also see a sharp increase, jumping from 25,000 to 125,000 dinars per kilogram. The news was also circulated by pages like The Clean Brotherhood (Post Impact: 22%), which highlighted the decision as part of a broader set of approvals made during the cabinet’s latest session.

3. New Buratha Overpass Opens to Traffic in Baghdad

Multiple pages celebrated the opening of the new Buratha overpass in Baghdad, sharing videos and posts about the new infrastructure project. Pages such as The Government Palace (Post Impact: 7%) and Iraq Projects (Post Impact: 7%) posted videos showing the first moments of citizens driving across the newly opened bridge. The page Iraq 24 (Post Impact: 5%) praised the project, calling it a “new architectural masterpiece” and commenting that such progress displeases those who wish for Baghdad to remain in a state of disrepair. The overall reaction was highly positive, framing the project as a welcome development for the capital.

4. Allegations of Misspending by Minister of Electricity

A video post by influencer Haider al-Hamdani (Post Impact: 100%) generated massive engagement by questioning the allocation of three billion Iraqi dinars by the Minister of Electricity to build a guesthouse. The post sarcastically suggests the facility is for the “relaxation” of the minister and his team during the Arbaeen pilgrimage. The text directly asks the public: “A guesthouse for the comfort of the minister and his team !! The Minister of Electricity allocates three billion to build a guesthouse for his ministerial team to relax during the Arbaeen pilgrimage?” The claim sparked significant public criticism and debate regarding the potential misuse of state funds and government priorities.

5. Najaf Airport Security Director Arrested for Bribery

News pages reported on the arrest of a senior security official from Najaf International Airport on corruption charges. The Clean Brotherhood (Post Impact: 20%) stated that the official was apprehended after a chase through local alleyways while in the act of receiving a bribe. The media page Yalla (Post Impact: 3%) identified the arrested individual as the Director of Najaf Airport Security, Hassanein Al-Khafaji. Yalla described the arrest as a “well-executed operation” by the National Security Service and the Integrity Commission and shared an exclusive video of the incident.

6. Father of Murdered Professor Alleges Official Harassment

The father of Sara Al-Aboudi, a university professor murdered in Basra, claimed his family is being harassed by authorities and pressured to drop the case against the accused. In a video shared by Muntadhar Al-Zaidi (Post Impact: 10%), the father states that police are raiding their homes and filing “malicious lawsuits” against them, alleging that the killer is protected by influential relatives connected to the governor’s office. Latest Iraqi Events (Post Impact: 7%) further quoted the father: “The killers are roaming free… while we are threatened… on top of them killing my daughter, they are bargaining with us to drop the case.” The posts highlight the family’s fear of injustice due to political influence.

7. Rumors Spread of Mall Closures in Baghdad for New Year’s Eve

Several news pages and community accounts circulated urgent notices claiming that all shopping malls in Baghdad would be closed on New Year’s Eve. Pages like Nafs Iraq (Post Impact: 6%) and Iraqi News Center (Post Impact: 6%) shared identical brief posts stating, “#Urgent Tomorrow all malls in Baghdad will be closed.” The unconfirmed reports spread quickly, causing confusion among residents planning to celebrate the holiday and raising questions about potential security measures.

8. CTS Announces Success of Major Anti-ISIS Operation

Following the announcement of a soldier’s death, the Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) reported on the results of a large-scale security operation. The Iraqi Special Operations Forces (Post Impact: 5%) page stated that a “qualitative operation” on the administrative borders between Salah al-Din, Kirkuk, and Diyala resulted in the killing of 7 ISIS militants, the destruction of 22 guesthouses and 5 tunnels, and the seizure of explosives. Another page, Support for Iraqi Security Forces (Post Impact: 3%), explicitly connected the successful operation to the fallen soldier, declaring it as “revenge for the hero Hadi Hamid.”

9. New Military Intelligence Director Appointed

A key security position has been filled with the appointment of a new Director General of Military Intelligence. The page Iraqis Only (Post Impact: 7%) was among the first to announce the assignment of Major General Hassan al-Silawi to the role. The appointment was later confirmed by the official page of the Chiefs of Staff of the Iraqi Army (Post Impact: 3%), which reported that the Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Abdul Amir Rashid Yarallah, met with the new director to congratulate him and provide guidance for developing the directorate’s performance.

10. Pages Announce Anticipated Islamic Calendar Dates for 2025

Several community-focused pages looked ahead to the new year by sharing the expected start dates for key months in the 2025 Islamic calendar. Both Bab Al-Toob (Post Impact: 7%) and Mosul – MOSUL (Post Impact: 6%) informed their followers that Rajab is projected to begin on January 1, Sha’ban on January 31, and the holy month of Ramadan on March 1, 2025. The posts concluded with the prayer, “Oh Allah, let us reach Ramadan in the best condition,” indicating public interest in preparing for religious observances well in advance.