Based on 442 Facebook posts analyzed on May 12, 2025, Miqrab AI identified several key themes and narratives trending in Iraq. The upcoming Arab Summit in Baghdad dominated discussions, with a focus on Syria’s representation after Farouk al-Sharaa declined to attend. Political developments were also prominent, including activism by MP Mustafa Sanad and official statements from Muqtada al-Sadr’s office and the Prime Minister’s spokesperson warning against disinformation. Regional security issues, such as violent clashes in Libya and maritime tensions with Kuwait, garnered significant attention. Domestically, crime reports from Basra and human-interest stories highlighting economic hardship were widely shared.

Today’s Top 10 Facebook Trends in Iraq:

1. Syria Changes Representative for Arab Summit in Baghdad

The most engaging topic concerned Syria’s representation at the upcoming Arab Summit in Baghdad. Al-Khwah Al-Nadheefa (Post Impact: 100%) reported that Farouk al-Sharaa had apologized and would not attend the summit, citing a statement from the Syrian Presidency. Following this news, ‘Iraqeen W Bas (Post Impact: 5%) and Ahmed AlHamdani (Post Impact: 2%) clarified that the Syrian delegation will instead be headed by Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, as announced by the Syrian Presidency. The initial high engagement was driven by the expectation of al-Sharaa’s presence after Baghdad’s preparations to welcome him.

2. MP Mustafa Sanad’s Political Activism and Protests

MP Mustafa Sanad was a central figure in multiple highly engaged posts detailing his political activities. In a video, Mustafa Sanad (Post Impact: 30%) delivered a six-minute speech to summarize the current political situation ahead of a protest. In a separate post, Mustafa Sanad (Post Impact: 19%) announced he had met with the President of the Republic and the head of the Supreme Judicial Council, Dr. Faiq Zidan. He also stated he had secured approval from the governor for a peaceful protest, noting that this cooperation would ensure the protest remains disciplined. Other pages like Al-Iraq (Post Impact: 3%) shared clips of him at the protest declaring that they prevented Abu Muhammad al-Jolani from desecrating Iraqi land.

3. Official Statements from Al-Sadr and PM’s Office

Official communications from major political and religious figures captured significant attention. The Private Office of His Eminence Sayyid Muqtada Al-Sadr (Post Impact: 29%) shared a statement that the leader posted on his personal account on the “X” social media platform. In a separate and significant development, the Media Office of the Iraqi Prime Minister (Post Impact: 13%) issued a statement from government spokesperson Basem Al-Awadi. The statement denied recent “baseless” news attributed to Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani and the government, warning that such news aims to mislead public opinion for personal gain. It urged media outlets to rely on official platforms for information and reserved the right to prosecute those who intentionally spread misinformation.

4. Arrest of 27 Couples in Basra for “Wife-Swapping”

A crime story from Basra about the arrest of 27 couples for alleged “wife-swapping” was shared widely. Baghdad Dar Al-Salam (Post Impact: 14%) and Al-Iraqi Al-Aseel (Post Impact: 3%) reported on the incident, describing it as a “shocking scene that departs from social and religious norms.” The pages highlighted the large number of people involved and the unusual nature of the crime, which has provoked strong reactions among users.

5. Violent Clashes and State of Emergency in Tripoli, Libya

Iraqi pages closely followed security developments in Libya, reporting on a state of emergency declared in the capital, Tripoli. Al-Khwah Al-Nadheefa (Post Impact: 11%) and Steven Nabil (Post Impact: 6%) reported on violent armed clashes that led to the assassination of Abdel Ghani al-Kikli, head of the Stability Support Apparatus in the western region. The pages noted the deployment of military convoys and the suspension of school and work. Nabil commented on the brutal nature of the killing, stating, “The end of militia leaders is usually difficult.”

6. Pride and Anticipation for Baghdad’s Arab Summit

Several pages expressed national pride and optimism regarding Baghdad’s hosting of the Arab Economic and Social Development Summit. Al-Adhamiya News (Post Impact: 9%) published an opinion piece stating, “When Baghdad speaks… Iraq returns as a major player.” The article frames the summit as a symbol of Iraq’s return to its natural position at the forefront of the Arab world. Similarly, Khabar Ajel (Post Impact: 7%) quoted cleric Al-Qubanchi, who said the summit is an opportunity for Arab leaders to see Iraq’s stability and generosity, expressing hope for important decisions from the Arab League. The page Wahid Watan (Post Impact: 4%) shared a promotional video with the caption, “The capital of civilization welcomes its brothers.”

7. Kuwaiti Boats Reportedly Enter Iraqi Waters

Reports of a potential escalation in maritime tensions between Iraq and Kuwait circulated on Facebook. Min Baghdad (Post Impact: 11%) and Fed Daqiqa (Post Impact: 1%) shared news that Kuwaiti boats breached Iraqi waters near Khor Abdullah and demanded the Iraqi navy withdraw from the area. The posts describe this as a “remarkable development” that could signal new tensions in the regional waters between the two countries. The page The Zelma (Post Impact: 4%) also commented critically on the government’s handling of the Khor Abdullah issue.

8. Dust Storm Hits Baghdad and Other Provinces

Pages reported on a dust storm affecting several parts of Iraq. Al-Khwah Al-Nadheefa (Post Impact: 7%) noted that a dust storm hit Baghdad, leading to reduced visibility and slower traffic, sharing an archival photo. Min Al-Iraq (Post Impact: 2%) reported that a powerful dust storm was moving from Anbar province towards Baghdad and southern Iraq. Man Baghdad+ (Post Impact: 1%) also shared a video of the storm as it hit Anbar.

9. Claim About CIA Recruiting Saddam Hussein

A post by Salem Mashkour (Post Impact: 72%) gained significant traction with a historical claim about former president Saddam Hussein. The video post alleges that John Perkins, a former US intelligence officer, stated that the CIA recruited Saddam Hussein during the era of Abd al-Karim Qasim. The high impact of this single post indicates strong user interest in historical narratives and conspiracy theories related to Iraq’s political past and its relationship with the United States.

10. Story of a Female Tuk-Tuk Driver Supporting Her Family

A human-interest story shared by Aziz Nasser (Post Impact: 54%) resonated widely with audiences. The video features a female “stouta” (tuk-tuk) driver who works to provide for her five children. The post praises her efforts, describing her as a “fighter of a special kind” and highlighting the economic struggles that force individuals into unconventional roles to support their families. The story sheds light on issues of poverty and resilience in Iraqi society.