Based on an analysis of 359 Facebook posts trending in Iraq on January 24, 2025, Miqrab AI identified several key narratives dominating online conversations. The most prominent theme was the Rajabiyyah pilgrimage in Baghdad, with significant engagement on posts showing religious devotion, security preparations, and tragic incidents related to the event. Political discourse was also high, focusing on accusations of corruption against the Governor of Muthanna. Security incidents remained a major topic, with reports on counter-terrorism operations against ISIS, deadly clashes with the PKK near the Turkish border, and a large fire at the Rumaila oil field in Basra. Additionally, a high-profile murder case in Baghdad, positive infrastructure developments, and human-interest stories garnered considerable attention across Iraqi Facebook pages.

Today’s Top 10 Facebook Trends in Iraq:

1. Pilgrimage for Martyrdom of Imam Al-Kadhim

The annual Rajabiyyah pilgrimage marking the martyrdom of Imam Musa al-Kadhim was a dominant topic on Facebook. Pages highlighted the massive crowds and displays of faith, with Aziz Nasser (Post Impact: 100%) sharing a video of people praying in difficult conditions as proof that “prayer must be adhered to under all circumstances.” Security was a key focus, as the Media Office of the Minister of Interior (Post Impact: 2%) and Maher Mouhi::Voice of the Nation’s Protectors (Post Impact: 1%) reported on Interior Minister Abdul Amir al-Shammari’s field tour to inspect security measures and the flow of pilgrims. Pages like Adhamiya News (Post Impact: 6%) shared footage of the Al-A’immah Bridge connecting Kadhimiya and Adhamiya, filled with pilgrims. The pilgrimage was also marked by tragedy, as Maher Mouhi::Voice of the Nation’s Protectors (Post Impact: 13%) mourned the death of Officer Yas Khader Abbas, who was fatally struck by a car while on duty protecting the visitors.

2. Muthanna Governor Faces Corruption Allegations

The Governor of Muthanna, Mohannad Al-Atabi, was the subject of intense criticism and accusations of corruption. Hayder Al-Hamdani (Post Impact: 44%) posted a widely viewed video challenging the governor directly, questioning “Who is the corrupt one, you sharp-tongued man?” and accusing him of misleading the public. Al-Hamdani declared a public challenge to expose what he called the governor’s “media reality” after one year in office. The criticism was echoed by Basim Khazal Khashan (Post Impact: 1%), who accused Governor Al-Atabi of turning against his previous principles by trying to restrict freedom of expression and using the judiciary to suppress criticism.

3. Murder of Ahmed Al-Akidi in Baghdad Sparks Outrage

A crime story from Baghdad captured significant attention, detailing the murder of a young man named Ahmed Al-Akidi. According to posts by Baghdad (Post Impact: 5%) and Khabar Ajel (Breaking News) (Post Impact: 3%), Al-Akidi was killed by a group of around 30 people after he defended his sister-in-law from harassers in a Baghdad neighborhood. The pages shared an update from the Ministry of Interior, which classified the incident as a criminal case and announced the arrest of five primary suspects and the seizure of the vehicle used in the crime. The ministry also arrested 19 other individuals who allegedly participated by writing on the victim’s family home after the incident.

4. Ongoing Counter-Terrorism and Security Operations

Iraqi security forces continued to be a central theme, with pages reporting on counter-terrorism efforts. The Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service (ICTS) (Post Impact: 10%) announced the arrest of a terrorist in Sulaymaniyah in coordination with the Kurdistan Region’s Asayish. The same operation led to the destruction of several ISIS hideouts, caves, and a vehicle in Salah al-Din and Anbar provinces. In a related story, Tech 4 Peace (Post Impact: 14%) reported that ISIS, through its Amaq agency, claimed responsibility for an attack in the Tarmiyah area, stating it resulted in the death and injury of 13 Iraqi officers and soldiers in an IED ambush.

5. Deadly PKK Clash with Border Guards in Zakho

A violent confrontation on the Iraqi-Turkish border was widely reported. Iraqeen W Bas (Iraqis Only) (Post Impact: 10%) announced a “same-day deterrence” action by the Ministry of Interior, which killed two members of the PKK. This retaliation followed an attack by the group on border guard patrols in the Zakho district that led to the martyrdom of two Iraqi fighters. The Media Office of the Minister of Interior (Post Impact: 2%) issued an official statement mourning the deaths of Commissioner Ali Ramadan Ismail and Commissioner Mivan Naji Mirsharaf, confirming they were killed during an attack by the “banned PKK organization” while securing the border strip.

6. Massive Fire Breaks Out at Rumaila Oil Field

A major fire at the Rumaila oil field in Basra was reported by multiple pages. Al-Khawa Al-Nadhifa (The Clean Brotherhood) (Post Impact: 7%) and Iraqeen W Bas (Iraqis Only) (Post Impact: 3%) shared news and video of the incident, describing it as a “huge fire” that broke out in the fifth crude oil station at the North Rumaila field. The posts conveyed concerns about the fire spreading, showing a large blaze engulfing a tank filled with barrels of oil.

7. Acts of Kindness and Devotion Go Viral

Human-interest stories highlighting positive social values gained significant traction. The page Min Al-Iraq (From Iraq) (Post Impact: 55%) shared a video of pilgrims from Basra who were on their way to Baghdad. Upon seeing an elderly man working alone, the entire group stopped their journey to help him, an act praised as a reflection of Iraqi generosity. In another story, the Iraqi News Center (Post Impact: 26%) celebrated the devotion of a woman named Elaf to her blind husband. The page shared a photo of the couple, referred to as “lovebirds,” and commended Elaf for always holding her husband’s hand and supporting him, stating, “This is what a righteous wife is like.”

8. Baghdad’s Al-Masafi Bridge Nears Completion

The upcoming opening of the Al-Masafi intersection bridge in Baghdad was a source of positive news. Al-Qasr Al-Hukoumi (The Government Palace) (Post Impact: 5%) announced that the bridge is ready and its inauguration is “very, very soon,” promising an end to traffic congestion in the area. The page Iraq Projects (Post Impact: 3%) also shared a video of the nearly completed bridge, praising its new look and referring to it as beautiful. Both pages presented the project as a significant achievement for the city’s infrastructure.

9. Footballer Ali Al-Hamadi Joins English Club Stoke City

The transfer of Iraqi national team striker Ali Al-Hamadi to the English football club Stoke City was celebrated by sports fans. Steven Nabil (Post Impact: 4%) reported that the club, which plays in the Championship league, officially welcomed Al-Hamadi and nicknamed him “Prince Ali.” Iraq 24 (Post Impact: 3%) also shared a post announcing the presentation of Al-Hamadi as a Stoke City player. The move was framed as a positive and beneficial step for the Iraqi player’s career.

10. Commentary on Al-Batat and Gas Imports from Kurdistan

Political commentary covered various topics, including controversial figures and national economic policy. Journalist Qahtan Adnan (Post Impact: 37%), on his show “Al-Ghasala,” responded to remarks from Aws al-Khafaji (Abu Dhar al-Batat) about having “700,000 fighters.” Adnan’s critical response generated significant engagement. On the economic front, MP Mustafa Sanad (Post Impact: 22%) posted a sarcastic comment regarding Iraq’s energy policy, stating, “Iraq contracts with Iraq (the region) to import gas for Iraq.” His post highlighted the irony of the federal government importing natural gas from the Kurdistan Region to supply its power plants.