Miqrab AI’s analysis of 485 Facebook posts trending in Iraq on July 29, 2025 reveals a social media landscape dominated by political controversies, public figures’ personal crises, and government-led narratives. The most engaging story by far was the case of lawyer Zainab Jawad, whose detention and the subsequent leaking of her private photos sparked widespread outrage and accusations of abuse of power against security forces. Speculation surrounding the health of former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki also captured significant attention, with initial reports of a critical condition later followed by images suggesting he was stable. Other key topics included fresh allegations of corruption in public works, criticism of the Khor Abdullah agreement with Kuwait, and official government promotion of urban renewal campaigns in Baghdad. In parallel, security-focused pages actively worked to debunk rumors of a resurgent ISIS threat and arms smuggling.

Today’s Top 10 Facebook Trends in Iraq:

1. The Case of Lawyer Zainab Jawad

Extensive coverage was dedicated to the case of lawyer Zainab Jawad following her detention and the subsequent leak of her private photos. Pages shared clips from her interviews where she detailed her experience, claiming her phone was searched without a warrant and she was forced to unlock it. Yalla (Post Impact: 16%) quoted her saying she was told her phone was needed by a judge, but that she was also threatened. Other pages like Al-Adhamiya News (Post Impact: 19%) and Mashaw Eani al’ahabuhum (Post Impact: 9%) shared strong statements from her, such as “this is the dirtiest and filthiest stage that women have gone through in Iraq.” Media personalities including Qahtan Adnan (Post Impact: 19%) and Mohammed Jabbar (Post Impact: 25%) dedicated segments to her story on their shows, portraying her as a victim of abuse of power and highlighting the violation of privacy.

2. Reports on Nouri al-Maliki’s Health Condition

Widespread reports circulated concerning the health of former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. Erbil Events (Post Impact: 91%) initially reported that al-Maliki underwent a catheterization procedure at Ibn al-Bitar Hospital in Baghdad and that his health was in a “critical” state. However, subsequent posts from pages like Baghdad (Post Impact: 6%) and Al-Adhamiya News (Post Impact: 4%) shared a photo showing him after the medical tests with a cannula in his hand, suggesting his condition was stable. Supporters such as Ahmed Al-Thawaq (Post Impact: 24%) expressed concern, highlighting al-Maliki’s importance in the current political landscape and praying for his health and safety.

3. Corruption Allegations in Public Projects

Allegations of major corruption in public projects gained significant traction. Journalist Najim Alrubaiai (Post Impact: 28%) shared a segment from his show on Al-Taghier TV featuring a guest named Al-Maamouri, who allegedly revealed a “billion-dinar scandal” related to the Makhoul Dam project. In another segment posted by Alrubaiai (Post Impact: 16%), Al-Maamouri also discussed what he termed a “catastrophe” at the Najaf cemetery. Separately, Ahmed Waheed (Post Impact: 84%) posted a highly-engaged video focused on an individual who lost three billion dinars, contributing to the broader online conversation about large-scale financial mismanagement and corruption.

4. Humanitarian Hisham al-Dhahabi and the Heatwave

Amidst a severe heatwave, humanitarian activist Hisham al-Dhahabi shared a highly engaging video showcasing his efforts to provide relief for the children under his care. The post from his page, Hisham Al-Dhahabi (Post Impact: 100%), showed the children heading to swimming pools he had set up for them in a playground. The text accompanying the video expressed a simple wish: “May God get us through this heatwave safely.” The post stands out as a positive, community-focused response to the extreme weather conditions affecting the country, resonating strongly with the online audience.

5. Criticism Over Khor Abdullah Agreement

The Khor Abdullah agreement with Kuwait continues to be a contentious issue on Iraqi Facebook. The page Khabar Ajeal (Post Impact: 24%) shared a statement attributed to “Mr. Rashid” calling for all participants in previous governments who signed such “unjust agreements” to be barred from future elections. In a follow-up, MP Dr. Haider Al-Salami (Post Impact: 6%) announced he had officially requested the map of maritime areas approved by the Council of Ministers, questioning why it has not yet been deposited with the United Nations. In contrast, Kulluna Al-Iraq (Post Impact: 2%) reported that MP Alia Nassif described the campaign against the agreement as “electoral consumption,” stating the Federal Court had already settled the matter.

6. Government Campaigns to Remove Encroachments in Sadr City

The government-affiliated page Al-Qasr Al-Hukoumi (Post Impact: 10%) heavily promoted the “Baghdad is More Beautiful” campaign, focusing on the removal of illegal encroachments and cleanup efforts in Sadr City. Several posts showcased bulldozers clearing areas and praised the initiative for reclaiming a city that was “buried under the weight of transgressions and chaos.” Another post by the same page (Post Impact: 7%) directly addressed the residents of Sadr City, stating, “We work for you, and so that your streets remain clean and your neighborhoods prosperous… With you and for you, we restore Sadr City’s joy.” The campaign is consistently framed as a major government achievement aimed at improving urban life and restoring order.

7. Security Pages Debunk ISIS and Arms Smuggling Rumors

Several security-focused pages actively worked to debunk rumors about a deteriorating security situation, particularly concerning arms smuggling from Syria into Iraq’s western provinces. Iraqi Security Forces Support (Post Impact: 3%) asserted that border crossings are tightly controlled and that claims of a smuggling route are politically motivated. Similarly, The Tactical Cell (Post Impact: 3%) labeled reports about thousands of ISIS elements preparing to attack Iraq a “big lie,” urging followers not to promote such psychological warfare. This coordinated messaging from multiple accounts, including a post from Dr. Mudhaffar Qasim Hussein (Post Impact: 2%), aims to reassure the public about the stability of the border regions.

8. Political Leaders Meet Ahead of Elections

Political leaders were actively engaged in meetings, signaling preparations for the upcoming parliamentary elections. The official page of Mohammed Al-Halbousi (Post Impact: 5%), leader of the Taqadum party, reported his meeting with Sayyid Ammar al-Hakim, head of the Al-Hikma National Movement, where they discussed the political situation and election preparations. On the same day, the page of former Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi (Post Impact: 3%) also announced a meeting with Sayyid al-Hakim, covering similar topics and stressing the need for unified positions. These concurrent meetings with a key political figure suggest ongoing negotiations and alliance-building among major political blocs.

9. Approval of 7th Batch of Social Welfare Payments

News of the Prime Minister’s approval for a new batch of social welfare payments was shared across several local news and service-oriented pages. Both Diyala TV (Post Impact: 5%) and Bikhidmatik (Post Impact: 2%) reported that the Prime Minister has agreed to launch the seventh installment of payments for those covered by the social protection program. This news directly impacts a large number of Iraqi families and is presented as a positive government action to support vulnerable citizens.

10. Backlash Against Ali Wajih for Supporting Zainab Jawad

In a development related to the Zainab Jawad case, media personality Ali Wajih Abbas faced backlash for his public support of the lawyer. The page Tara’if al-Alam bi-Euyun Iraqia (Post Impact: 3%) shared a screenshot of a tweet by Ali Wajih regarding the leak of Jawad’s photos. Following this, the page Nafs Iraq (Post Impact: 2%) reported that the Al-Sayyid Al-Husseini tribe had issued a statement of “disavowal” of Ali Wajih due to his supportive tweet. This story highlights the social and tribal pressures involved in the broader case and the repercussions for public figures who take a stance on the controversial issue.