Based on 419 Facebook posts analyzed on February 20, 2025, Miqrab AI identified several key themes and narratives trending on Facebook in Iraq. The most significant story with the highest engagement was Syria’s decision to drastically increase visa fees for Iraqi citizens. Another major topic was the widespread dissemination of a weather forecast predicting a severe polar cold wave accompanied by rain and snow across the country. Public health concerns were also prominent, with pages highlighting a Ministry of Health warning that foot-and-mouth disease could be transmitted to humans, contradicting previous assurances from the Ministry of Agriculture. Other conversations included political developments such as calls for voter registration updates and progress on a general amnesty law, alongside reports on deteriorating infrastructure in Diwaniyah and the ongoing controversy surrounding the internet service cut to the mobile operator Korek Telecom.

Today’s Top 10 Facebook Trends in Iraq:

1. Syria Increases Visa Fees for Iraqis to $250

The most impactful story of the day concerns Syria’s decision to raise the visa fee for Iraqis wishing to enter its territory. Multiple pages reported that the fee has been increased to $250 for a single-entry visa. The page Baghdad (Post Impact: 100%) was among the first to break the news, stating, “Syria raises visa fees for Iraqis wishing to enter its territory to 250 US dollars for a single entry only ..”. Similarly, From Karbala News (Post Impact: 75%) shared the same information, confirming that the new fee is for a one-time entry. The high engagement on these posts suggests significant public interest and concern over the financial implications for Iraqis traveling to the neighboring country.

2. Severe Cold Wave and Snow Forecast for Iraq

A major weather event is anticipated across Iraq, with numerous pages warning of an approaching cold snap. According to the Iraqi Meteorological Organization and Seismology, a “polar wave of extreme cold preceded by rain and snow will hit Iraq.” This forecast was widely shared by pages like Iraq 24 (Post Impact: 45%), The Clean Brotherhood (Post Impact: 15%), and Diyala TV (Post Impact: 11%). The reports specify that the weather pattern will begin on Saturday. The page Telescope Iraq (Post Impact: 4%) added that initial forecasts suggest snow could fall in areas as close as 70 km north of Baghdad, though this is subject to change.

3. Health Ministry Warns of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Transmission

Conflicting official statements regarding the risk of foot-and-mouth disease have generated concern on Facebook. The page The Clean Brotherhood (Post Impact: 23%) highlighted this, noting, “The Ministry of Health, in a statement contradicting the reassurances of the Minister of Agriculture: ‘Foot-and-mouth disease’ may be transmitted to humans.” This news was also shared by Nafs Iraq (Post Impact: 18%) and Iraq 24 (Post Impact: 2%). The posts emphasize the discrepancy between the Ministry of Health’s warning and previous statements from the Minister of Agriculture, raising questions about public health safety and the management of the disease outbreak.

4. Politicians Encourage Updating Biometric Voter Registration

As potential elections approach, there is a renewed push for citizens to update their voter registration. Politician Hakim al-Zamili (Post Impact: 19%) urged Iraqis to visit registration centers, framing the act as a patriotic duty. He wrote, “Going to the update centers to update your and your family’s electoral record has become a commitment, a responsibility, and a national duty.” This message was echoed by the Independent High Electoral Commission (Post Impact: 2%), which officially stated that electronic (biometric) registration is a fundamental condition for participation in the electoral process, reinforcing the necessity for citizens to ensure their data is current.

5. Several Provinces Announce Public Holiday for Sunday

Several provincial governments have announced that Sunday will be an official holiday. Diyala TV (Post Impact: 18%) was one of the pages reporting that “provinces are beginning to declare Sunday an official holiday.” The page Bel Iraqi (Post Impact: 3%) provided a list of provinces where the holiday would be observed, including Diwaniyah, Najaf, Karbala, Babylon, Dhi Qar, Muthanna, Maysan, Basra, Wasit, and Diyala. Nafs Iraq (Post Impact: 3%) also reported that the Governor of Baghdad announced Sunday as an official holiday in the capital.

6. Poor Infrastructure and School Conditions in Diwaniyah Province

The poor state of public infrastructure in Diwaniyah province was highlighted by multiple pages. Steven Nabil (Post Impact: 7%) shared images of the muddy road students must traverse to reach Al-Rayhana Elementary School in the Al-Shafaiyah district, lamenting the conditions in the province. He commented that Diwaniyah “was prey to religious parties that promise people paradise while they wade through mud daily.” In a similar report, the Iraqi News Center (Post Impact: 7%) posted a picture of Al-Mufeed Elementary School in the Daghara district, showing it flooded after only light rain, further illustrating the infrastructure challenges faced by residents.

7. Political Parties and MPs Push for General Amnesty Law

There is growing momentum behind the implementation of the general amnesty law, with multiple political figures and parties taking action. Al-Adhamiya News (Post Impact: 5%) reported that the legal team of the Siyada Party, under the direction of Sheikh Khamis al-Khanjar, is exploring mechanisms to implement the law and secure the release of innocent individuals, particularly “victims of secret informants and those from whom confessions were extracted under torture.” In a specific case related to the amnesty, Urgent News (Post Impact: 5%) and Yalla (Post Impact: 4%) reported that MP Ali Al-Saadi agreed to drop the charges against Ali Mutairi, a man convicted of illegal wiretapping, after his mother visited the MP and requested a pardon so her son could be included in the amnesty.

8. Remains of ISIS Victims Returned to Families in Nineveh

A somber event was reported in Nineveh province, where the remains of civilians executed by ISIS are being returned to their loved ones. The pages Mosul – MOSUL (Post Impact: 5%) and Bab Al-Toob (Post Impact: 2%) both announced that the remains of 21 martyrs from Nineveh, who were executed by the terrorist organization, will be delivered to their families in the Hammam al-Alil area. Both pages offered condolences, with statements such as, “May God have mercy on our martyrs.” The posts serve as a stark reminder of the human cost of the conflict with ISIS.

9. Korek Telecom Internet Cut-off Sparks Controversy

A dispute between Korek Telecom and the Iraqi Communications and Media Commission (CMC) has escalated, leading to the regulator cutting internet services for the mobile operator. Ahmed AlHamdani (Post Impact: 3%) shared Korek’s response, in which the company called the decision an “unprecedented scandal” and accused authorities of institutional piracy and investor blackmail. The page Digital Defense Line (Post Impact: 2%) provided a detailed overview, noting the CMC’s justification was Korek’s failure to pay outstanding debts. In contrast, Korek claims the move was “arbitrary,” directed by the Prime Minister’s office, and a violation of its license, which it says is still valid. The company has appealed to the judiciary and international organizations for intervention.

10. Mobile Operators Promote New Internet Data Packages

Several Iraqi Facebook pages shared promotional content for new mobile internet offers from major telecom companies. Baghdadi Eyes (Post Impact: 3%) highlighted an offer from Zain Iraq for 100 gigabytes of data for 25,000 dinars. Similarly, Mosul – MOSUL (Post Impact: 2%) advertised the same Zain offer. Meanwhile, Iraq 24 (Post Impact: 2%) posted about an Asiacell offer, also for 100 gigabytes at the same price point. The coordinated nature of these posts across different pages suggests a marketing campaign by the mobile operators to attract subscribers with large data packages.