Miqrab AI analyzed a total of 406 Facebook posts trending in Iraq on January 28, 2025, revealing a dynamic social media landscape focused on domestic affairs. The primary narratives included widespread celebration of new infrastructure projects in Baghdad, particularly the opening of major overpasses aimed at easing traffic congestion. Concurrently, there was significant engagement with stories about government accountability, including both praise for officials taking decisive action against misconduct and harsh criticism of perceived wasteful spending. Other key themes involved security and anti-corruption measures, such as the seizure of smuggled vehicles at ports and debates over internet service contracts, as well as forward-looking discussions about Prime Minister Al-Sudani’s cabinet decisions, the national economy, and the potential impact of international politics on Iraq.

Today’s Top 10 Facebook Trends in Iraq:

1. New Overpasses Open in Baghdad to Ease Traffic

Multiple pages celebrated the opening of new infrastructure projects in Baghdad, specifically the Al-Masafi (Refineries) intersection overpass and the Qahtan Square overpass. Pages like The Governmental Palace (Post Impact: 14%) and Iraq Projects (Post Impact: 13%) shared videos showing the first moments of cars crossing the newly inaugurated bridges. The posts frame these openings as significant achievements for the capital, aimed at reducing chronic traffic congestion. Other accounts, including Baghdad (Post Impact: 7%) and Maher Mohi::Voice of the Homeland’s Protectors (Post Impact: 5%), highlighted the joy of citizens as they began to use the new routes, portraying the projects as a positive development for Baghdad residents.

2. Over 200 Smuggled Vehicles Seized at Umm Qasr Port

The Border Ports Commission’s seizure of over 200 illegally imported vehicles at the port of Umm Qasr was a major anti-smuggling story. According to Al-Khuwa Al-Nadheefa (Post Impact: 16%), the vehicles were “under the legal model year, carried fake chassis numbers, and were not permitted for import.” The page reported on the successful operation to thwart the smuggling attempt. In a follow-up video, Ahmed Althawaq (Post Impact: 2%) confirmed the seizure and added that the confiscated vehicles would be distributed to various state departments, indicating a direct benefit to the government from the foiled operation.

3. Internet Smuggling and Ministry of Communications Controversy

A controversy involving the Ministry of Communications, internet smuggling, and the company “IQ” gained traction. The page Al-Khuwa Al-Nadheefa (Post Impact: 8%) reported that Prime Minister Al-Sudani had directed the Integrity Commission to investigate the ministry’s procedures regarding internet smuggling and its contract with IQ. In response to the allegations, the page Technology and Communications (Post Impact: 3%) posted a summary of Minister Hiyam Al-Yasiri’s defense. She stated, “I am proud that my honest and competent team and I have created a success story,” and claimed the controversy was an attempt to undermine the national transit project. Another post by the same page mentioned that the head of the Parliamentary Integrity Committee had been told by the minister about a company making 600 billion dinars illicitly.

4. Commander Praised for Decisively Defending Employee

A video shared by Maher Mohi::Voice of the Homeland’s Protectors (Post Impact: 100%) showing a military commander taking swift action to defend a contract employee from assault garnered massive engagement. The commander reportedly detained the entire directorate until the assailant was brought forward within the hour. As a reward for the victim, the commander granted him a 10-day leave and a gift of 100,000 dinars. The post praised this leadership, stating, “When you see a commander like this at your back, you can apply the law without thinking about anything else.” This act was widely seen as a powerful example of a leader standing up for their subordinates and ensuring justice is served promptly.

5. Criticism of Government Spending on MPs and Green Zone

A video post from Haider Al-Hamdani (Post Impact: 52%) sharply criticized the government for what it described as misplaced financial priorities. The post highlighted an allocation of 231 billion dinars for renovating sidewalks in the Green Zone and purchasing luxury cars for members of the Council of Representatives. The narrative presented a stark contrast between this spending and the needs of the general population, with the video titled “Between the luxury of MPs and the needs of the people.” This story resonated strongly, tapping into public sentiment about government expenditure and accountability.

6. PM Sudani Chairs Cabinet Meeting and Opens Energy Conference

The official page of Prime Minister Engineer Mohamed Shia Al-Sudani (Post Impact: 10%) detailed the decisions from the fourth cabinet session. The meeting covered topics ranging from energy and social benefit projects for the Majnoon oil field to a plan for contracting with an international consultant to develop several Iraqi airports, including those in Basra, Mosul, and Najaf. In a separate post, the Prime Minister’s page (Post Impact: 8%) also covered his opening speech at the Iraq Energy Conference 2025, where he emphasized the government’s commitment to stopping gas flaring, diversifying the economy, and forming partnerships with the private sector. The Prime Minister’s Media Office (Post Impact: 2%) also shared a video reel summarizing the cabinet session.

7. Economic Commentary on Saudi Investment and Iraqi Oil Dependency

Commentator Rusly Al-Maliki (Post Impact: 5%) analyzed the economic implications of Saudi Arabia’s trillion-dollar investment in the United States. He argued that this move would give Saudi Arabia massive non-oil revenues, reducing its need to keep oil prices high. According to his analysis, both the U.S. and Saudi Arabia win from this deal, while the loser is “countries that rely solely on oil, like Iraq.” This commentary, also shared on another Rusly Al-Maliki page (Post Impact: 2%), served as a warning about Iraq’s economic vulnerability and criticized past governments for failing to diversify the economy away from oil dependency.

8. Discussions on Donald Trump’s Potential Return and Impact on Iraq

The potential return of Donald Trump to the U.S. presidency sparked discussion across several pages about its implications for Iraq. Muntadhar Al-Zaidi (Post Impact: 1%) shared a post suggesting a Trump administration would seek a new agreement giving Washington greater authority in Iraq and diminishing Iranian influence. Similarly, Ann Salah (Post Impact: 1%) sarcastically noted that with Trump’s return, Iraq suddenly realized “the need for armed factions has ended.” A poll by the Rewaq Baghdad Center For Public Policy (Post Impact: 1%) directly asked followers whether Trump’s return would have a positive or negative effect on Iraq’s political and security situation, reflecting a broader public conversation on the topic.

9. Anticipation for the Holy Month of Ramadan

As the month of Ramadan approaches, several pages shared posts reflecting a sense of spiritual anticipation among Iraqis. Pages like Iraq 24 (Post Impact: 5%) and Bab Al-Toob (Post Impact: 3%) posted simple, reflective messages about the coming holy month. The posts used phrases like “The breezes of #Ramadan are approaching…” and included prayers asking God to let them reach the month in good health and wellness. This content indicates a collective shift in focus towards the religious observance and cultural significance of Ramadan.

10. Najaf Airport Management and Investment News

The management and future of Najaf Ashraf International Airport were subjects of discussion. Al-Khuwa Al-Nadheefa (Post Impact: 8%) reported that the Governor of Najaf has appointed Haidar Al-Miyali as the new director of the airport. In a related post, Hassan Zuher Hakim (Post Impact: 2%) commented on the news that the airport would be handed over for investment in six months. This follows the Cabinet’s decision to pursue private sector partnerships for the development of several Iraqi airports, making the new appointment and investment plan a topic of local interest.