Based on an analysis of 441 Facebook posts by Miqrab AI, the key narratives trending in Iraq on February 5, 2025, are dominated by a major US policy shift affecting Iraq’s energy sector. The decision by US President Donald Trump to revoke the waiver allowing Iraq to import gas and electricity from Iran sparked widespread discussion, with many pages forecasting a difficult summer and questioning the lack of alternatives. Another significant legal development drawing attention is the Supreme Judicial Council’s directive to proceed with the General Amnesty Law, effectively overriding a suspension by the Federal Court. Politically, the activities of Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr and a meeting between Taqaddum Party leader Mohammed Al-Halbousi and the Interior Minister were prominent topics. Other conversations included crime reports, sports news regarding Real Madrid, weather warnings, and government project announcements.

Today’s Top 10 Facebook Trends in Iraq:

1. Trump Revokes Waiver for Iraq to Import Energy from Iran

The most widely discussed story is the decision by US President Donald Trump to cancel the exemption that allowed Iraq to import electricity and gas from Iran. Pages across the platform reported this as a major development, with many framing it as a direct threat to Iraq’s power supply. Iraqeen W Bas – Iraqeen W Bas (Post Impact: 31%) noted, “#Urgent | Trump opens his eyes to Iraq.” The page Taraif Al-Alam Bi’uyun Iraqia (Post Impact: 29%) expressed concern with the headline, “Goodbye to electricity in the coming summer.” Multiple outlets, including Khabar Ajel (Post Impact: 26%) and Baghdad (Post Impact: 24%), stated the move is part of a maximum pressure campaign on Tehran, quoting Trump’s aim to “prevent Iran from exploiting Iraq’s funds.” In response, MP Mustafa Sanad (Post Impact: 67%) posted a strong condemnation of Trump. Analyst Salim Mashkour (Post Impact: 19%) questioned the decision, asking, “Trump wants to pressure Iran by preventing it from exporting gas and electricity to Iraq. Okay, give Iraq the alternative. Where are your giant companies? Are they incapable of providing electricity to Iraq?”

2. Supreme Judicial Council Reinstates General Amnesty Law

A significant legal development captured attention as the Supreme Judicial Council ordered courts to proceed with implementing the General Amnesty Law. This decision counters a move by the Federal Court to suspend the law. Alkhowa Alnadifa (Post Impact: 54%) reported that the council stated, “It is not permissible to stop the implementation of the law that is legislated by the Council of Representatives before its publication in the official gazette.” Iraqeen W Bas – Iraqeen W Bas (Post Impact: 19%) framed this as the council criticizing the Federal Court’s “hastiness” in halting the law. Other pages like Support for Iraqi Security Forces (Post Impact: 25%) and Ahmed AlHamdani – Ahmed AlHamdani (Post Impact: 4%) announced the “return of the general amnesty” as breaking news.

3. Real Madrid Secures Late Victory in Copa del Rey

Football news generated significant engagement as Real Madrid defeated Leganés 3-2 to advance to the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey. Several pages celebrated the dramatic win, which was secured with a late goal. Alkhowa Alnadifa (Post Impact: 44%) shared the result, while Steven Nabil (Post Impact: 20%) commented on the tension during the match, noting that fans’ “faces are pale now after the tying goal.” Following the last-minute winner, Iraq 24 (Post Impact: 10%) and Bab Altoob (Post Impact: 8%) both highlighted that the victory came “in the final second.”

4. Syrian Man Arrested for Murder of Iraqi Teenager in Erbil

A tragic crime story from Erbil received high engagement, as reported by Alkhowa Alnadifa (Post Impact: 61%). According to the post, security forces arrested a young Syrian man accused of killing his 18-year-old Iraqi girlfriend. The details shared by the page allege that he burned her body and disposed of it on the side of a road near the Lebanese Village in Erbil. The page shared this news to inform its large following about the heinous crime and the subsequent arrest of the suspect.

5. Muqtada al-Sadr’s Political and Religious Communications

The political and religious activities of cleric Muqtada al-Sadr were a major focus, primarily covered by his official media office. Private Office of His Eminence Sayyid Muqtada al-Sadr (Post Impact: 82%) shared a post that al-Sadr published on his personal account on the social media platform “X.” The same page also published answers from al-Sadr to questions posed to him on the sixth day of Sha’ban (Post Impact: 25%) and reported that he was briefed on the latest activities of the Al-Bunyan Al-Marsous project (Post Impact: 18%). These posts highlight his continued engagement with his followers and oversight of his movement’s projects.

6. Al-Halbousi Meets with Interior Minister to Discuss Security

Taqaddum Party leader Mohammed Al-Halbousi met with Interior Minister Abdul Amir Al-Shammari to discuss the political and security situation in the country. According to a statement posted by Mohammed Al-Halbousi (Post Impact: 15%), the meeting emphasized supporting security and stability and adhering to the political agreement paper. The statement noted Al-Halbousi’s support for the government in implementing its program and development plans. The meeting was also reported as breaking news by Iraq 24 (Post Impact: 16%), which mentioned the presence of Minister of Industry and Minerals Dr. Khaled Battal.

7. Weather Authorities Warn of Dust Storms and Cold Snap

The Iraqi Meteorological Organization issued warnings for severe weather conditions expected across the country. Al Hadath Iraq (Post Impact: 14%) reported that the agency expects “dense dust waves in a number of regions causing poor horizontal visibility” and a sharp drop in temperatures due to a cold air mass. The forecast also included heavy rain and thunder in the north and light showers in central and eastern areas. Similarly, Diyala Diyala TV (Post Impact: 12%) advised against land and sea travel due to the severe cold.

8. PM Al-Sudani Announces Diwaniyah Refinery Expansion Project

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani announced the signing of a contract for a project to develop and expand the Diwaniyah refinery. In a detailed post, the page of Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani (Post Impact: 19%) stated that the $800 million project will increase the refinery’s total production to 90,000 barrels per day. The Prime Minister emphasized that the project is strategic, will secure oil derivatives, help complete the Shanafiya power station, and create jobs in the province. Al Qasr Al Hukumi (Post Impact: 7%) celebrated the news, telling the people of Diwaniyah that a “good refinery” was coming that would support the local economy.

9. Pages Warn Against Rising Sectarian Hate Speech Online

Multiple pages issued warnings about an increase in sectarian rhetoric on social media. Tech 4 Peace (Post Impact: 26%) reported that its team had monitored an “escalation in hate speech and sectarianism” and noted the presence of fake accounts whose mission is to “sow and increase sectarian discourse among people.” The organization advised the public not to interact with such posts to avoid amplifying their “malicious and paid objectives.” Similarly, Iraqeen W Bas – Iraqeen W Bas (Post Impact: 7%) warned citizens, “Do not let them deceive you again,” stating that some politicians are using sectarianism for electoral gain and are willing to “bring back sectarian fighting for the sake of a seat.”

10. Pages Mourn Deaths of Young Men in Separate Incidents

Social media pages shared news of the deaths of two young men, drawing condolences from the community. Bab Altoob (Post Impact: 23%) announced the death of Amir Osama Al-Akidi from Mosul in a traffic accident. In a separate post, Al-Adhamiya News (Post Impact: 20%) mourned the passing of Saif Abu Hadida from the Adhamiya district, describing him as a “good, pure young man.” Both posts prompted an outpouring of prayers and sympathies from followers.