Based on 411 Facebook posts analyzed on January 27, 2025, Miqrab AI identified several key themes and narratives trending in Iraq. The most prominent story involved a traffic police officer being run over in Baghdad by a vehicle allegedly belonging to a member of parliament, sparking widespread condemnation and reports of the driver’s arrest. Political developments also captured significant attention, with posts detailing the activities of Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr and allegations of political interference at Najaf International Airport. Government-led initiatives, such as the opening of new overpasses in the capital and meetings held by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani, were also a focus. Other trending topics included security operations against ISIS remnants, a viral humanitarian appeal for a soldier’s pardon, and reports of a fatal traffic accident involving Iraqi pilgrims in Saudi Arabia.

Today’s Top 10 Facebook Trends in Iraq:

1. MP’s Vehicle Runs Over Traffic Officer in Baghdad

A vehicle, reported by Al-Khawa Al-Nadhifa (Post Impact: 95%) to belong to MP Yassin al-Ithawi of the Azm Alliance, was shown in videos running over a traffic police officer in the al-Amiriyah intersection in Baghdad. Pages like Baghdad (Post Impact: 56%) and Dr. Ali Al-Qaisi (Post Impact: 14%) shared footage of the incident, which showed the officer clinging to the hood of the car as it drove away. Subsequent posts from pages like Support for the Iraqi Security Forces (Post Impact: 21%) and an official statement from the Iraqi Ministry of Interior (Post Impact: 9%) confirmed that the driver was arrested after fleeing the scene and that the officer sustained a broken leg.

2. Muqtada al-Sadr’s Political and Religious Activities

The official page of The Private Office of His Eminence Sayyid Muqtada al-Sadr (Post Impact: 97%) shared a post from his personal “X” account with religious hashtags. In another post, the same page reported that al-Sadr was briefed on the activities of the Committee for the Affairs of Workers, Mujahideen, Resistors, and their Martyrs’ Families, thanking them for their steadfastness and sincerity (The Private Office of His Eminence Sayyid Muqtada al-Sadr (Post Impact: 53%)). Relatedly, the Saraya al-Salam – Central Media Directorate (Post Impact: 23%) page detailed a field tour by the Jihadi Assistant, Hajj Abu Mustafa al-Hamidawi, in the Samarra operations sector, where he honored several fighters.

3. Allegations of Political Interference at Najaf Airport

A video shared by Mohammed Nasser Khalif (Post Impact: 99%) sparked outrage online. The post claims that a department manager at Najaf Airport is heard asking a member of parliament to meet with the “economics of the al-Hikma Movement,” a political party led by Ammar al-Hakim. This was interpreted by commentators as an inappropriate request to distribute airport resources or influence based on political affiliations, with the page questioning the direction of the country. The story was also covered by Muntazer al-Zaidi (Post Impact: 11%), who stated that the official suggested the meeting was “to distribute the wealth.”

4. Humanitarian Plea for Pardon of Iraqi Soldier in Basra

In a highly engaged post, the page Maher Mouhi::Voice of the Nation’s Protectors (Post Impact: 100%) published a humanitarian appeal directed to the Minister of Defense and Lieutenant General Hatem Jabr al-Maksousi. The plea, originating from fellow soldiers in Basra, asks for a pardon for soldier Khaled Mahmoud Ghafel. The appeal invokes religious figures and highlights the soldier’s difficult family situation, stating he is the sole provider for a family of 10 living in informal housing. The post emphasizes that the request is made for the sake of his family, concluding with the sentiment, “we are your sons, and a father forgives and pardons.”

5. Opening of New Overpasses in Baghdad

Several pages announced the imminent opening of new infrastructure projects in Baghdad aimed at reducing traffic congestion. The Government Palace (Post Impact: 55%) stated that the al-Masafi Intersection overpass and the Qahtan overpass would be opened the following day. The page later posted again about the al-Masafi overpass, saying it was “hours away from entering service” (The Government Palace (Post Impact: 31%)). The page Iraq Projects (Post Impact: 22%) also shared a video previewing the opening of the al-Masafi overpass.

6. PM Sudani Chairs Youth Council, Meets UAE Official

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani’s official Facebook page reported on his government activities. One post detailed the seventh meeting of the Supreme Council for Youth, where approvals were given to establish business incubators, increase the membership of the national youth climate change team, and create a forum for young entrepreneurs (Engineer Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani (Post Impact: 50%)). A separate post announced that the Prime Minister met with Abdullah Salem Al Nuaimi, the CEO of the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, and oversaw the signing of a memorandum of understanding to enhance cooperation in financial markets (Engineer Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani (Post Impact: 19%)). The Iraqi Prime Minister’s Media Office (Post Impact: 8%) also shared a video of the youth council meeting.

7. Iraqi Forces Pursuing ISIS Remnants from the Air

The pages Tele Iraq (Post Impact: 42%) and Tele Iraq Media (Post Impact: 37%) both shared an image of an Iraqi aircraft with the caption, “The Iraqi forces are pursuing their remnants from the air.” The posts suggest ongoing military operations targeting the remaining elements of the ISIS organization. The image shows what appears to be an Iraqi Air Force F-16 fighter jet, indicating the nature of the aerial operations being highlighted.

8. Iraqi Pilgrims in Fatal Bus Crash in Saudi Arabia

Multiple pages reported on a tragic traffic accident in Saudi Arabia involving a bus carrying Iraqi pilgrims performing Umrah. Iraqeen W Bas (Post Impact: 15%) shared a video of the aftermath and noted there were “deaths and critical injuries,” with initial reports suggesting the pilgrims were from Sulaymaniyah. Bab Al-Toob (Post Impact: 15%) specified that the accident occurred near the Arar border crossing. The Mosul (Post Impact: 13%) page also shared news of the incident, confirming fatalities and injuries among the Iraqi pilgrims.

9. Baghdad Police Arrest Suspects in al-Amiriyah Murder

The Baghdad Anti-Crime Directorate (Post Impact: 25%) announced that it had solved a “mysterious murder” in the al-Amiriyah area of Baghdad. According to the statement, authorities found the body of an unidentified young man and, after investigation, were able to identify and arrest three suspects “in record time.” The directorate confirmed that evidence was seized and legal proceedings have been initiated against the suspects. This comes as the Iraqi Ministry of Interior (Post Impact: 9%) also announced the arrest of a driver in the same district for a separate incident involving running over a traffic officer.

10. Religious Commemorations for Isra and Miraj

Facebook pages shared images of Iraqis participating in religious events to commemorate the night of Isra and Miraj (the Prophet’s Night Journey and Ascension). The Baghdad (Post Impact: 21%) page showed families gathering at the shrine of Sheikh Abdul Qadir al-Kilani in Baghdad to mark the occasion. The same page also reported on visitors arriving at the shrine of Imam Ali in Najaf to commemorate the Prophet’s Mission (al-Maba’ath al-Nabawi), which coincides with the same date (Baghdad (Post Impact: 11%)). Additionally, the Baghdad Governorate (Post Impact: 12%) page shared a video of Governor Abdul Muttalib al-Alawi participating in the annual celebration held by the Sunni Endowment at the Abu Hanifa al-Nu’man shrine.