Based on an analysis of 518 Facebook posts trending on November 3, 2025, Miqrab AI identified several key narratives dominating online discourse in Iraq. The most prominent theme revolves around the ongoing election campaigns, highlighted by the controversy surrounding MP Mustafa Sanad, who was fined after claiming it was for his criticism of the government. This is coupled with renewed calls from Muqtada al-Sadr for his followers to boycott the elections. Another significant topic is the severe water crisis, which has triggered sharp criticism against Iran from an unexpected source, PMF leader Abu Azrael, and sparked public debate over a new “oil for water” management agreement with Turkey. Furthermore, intense political rivalries are playing out on the platform, particularly within the Sunni bloc, with politician Mishan al-Jubouri publicly attacking Mohammed al-Halbousi while praising Khamis al-Khanjar.

Today’s Top 10 Facebook Trends in Iraq:

1. MP Mustafa Sanad Fined for Criticizing Government

Independent MP Mustafa Sanad was a top focus of conversation after he announced the end of his media campaign, which he claimed was conducted cleanly without using public funds or defacing public property. In a post on his personal page, Mustafa Sanad – Mustafa Sanad (Post Impact: 40%), he stated that “The only violation I committed was criticizing the government,” for which he was fined twenty million dinars. In a separate post, he specified that a second fine was imposed after a complaint from Prime Minister Al-Sudani’s coalition regarding a video criticizing the country’s rising debt. The news of a 10 million dinar fine from the Electoral Commission for campaign violations was also covered by pages like Al-Khowa Al-Nadifa (Post Impact: 14%).

2. Muqtada al-Sadr on Elections and Water Crisis

The office of Muqtada al-Sadr released several statements that were widely shared, addressing the election boycott and the national water crisis. According to posts from his official page, The Private Office of His Eminence Sayyid Muqtada al-Sadr (Post Impact: 7%), al-Sadr thanked Iraqi tribes for their “honorable stance” in boycotting the elections. Regarding the drying of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, he commented, “They did not only lose the water, but they lost everything, unfortunately,” a statement also highlighted by Al-Iraqi Al-Asil (Post Impact: 2%). His office also explicitly denied rumors that he was supporting any electoral list, labeling such claims as “delusion and lies promoted by the corrupt and infiltrators.”

3. Sunni Political Feuds: Al-Jubouri Attacks Al-Halbousi

Veteran politician Mishan al-Jubouri launched a sharp attack against Parliament Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi while praising his rival, Khamis al-Khanjar. In interviews shared by pages like Sahar Abbas Jameel (Post Impact: 6%), al-Jubouri described al-Halbousi as a “sweet person” but a “beast” when in a position of power. In another clip shared by the same page, he accused al-Halbousi of orchestrating the electoral exclusion of his son, Yazan. Conversely, pages such as Min Baghdad (Post Impact: 4%) and Taraef Al-Alam bi-Uyoun Iraqiya (Post Impact: 3%) reported al-Jubouri calling Khamis al-Khanjar “the fiercest defender of the Sunni component” who is willing to sacrifice his life for it.

4. PMF Leader Abu Azrael Criticizes Iran Over Water Crisis

Prominent PMF commander Abu Azrael made headlines with a strong statement against Iran concerning its role in Iraq’s water shortage, a notable departure from the typical pro-Iran stance of many militia leaders. A video clip shared by Steven Nabil (Post Impact: 19%) captures Abu Azrael criticizing those who display loyalty to Iran while it cuts off water. He is quoted saying, “Iran changed the course of the tributaries and dried out the nation of Muhammad… when it comes to the country’s interest, everyone for his own interest. If Iran are truly our brothers, let them return the tributaries to their course.”

5. Cristiano Ronaldo Claims Superiority Over Messi

A post that generated significant engagement involved a bold statement attributed to football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo regarding his rival, Lionel Messi. The page Al-Khowa Al-Nadifa (Post Impact: 25%) shared a quote from Ronaldo saying, “Messi is never better than me and I will not be humble about this matter.” The claim reignited the long-standing debate among football fans in Iraq, prompting thousands of reactions and comments arguing for their favorite player.

6. Candidate Aziz Nasser Appeals to Security Forces for Votes

Actor and political candidate Aziz Nasser is running an active campaign on Facebook, promising his supporters, “We will not let you down.” A post on the page Dhubat Al-Iraq (Iraqi Officers) (Post Impact: 6%) specifically appealed to members of the Iraqi security forces, stating that Nasser was a voice for them and appreciated their sacrifices. The post urged them to vote for him as a way of “returning the favor.” Nasser’s own page, Aziz Nasser – Aziz Nasser (Post Impact: 14%), shared campaign videos with similar messages of commitment.

7. Iraq-Turkey “Oil for Water” Agreement Sparks Debate

Details of a water management agreement between Iraq and Turkey drew criticism and concern. Pages like Ammar Al-Halfi (Post Impact: 5%) outlined terms where Turkish companies would manage Iraqi water projects for five years, funded by dedicated Iraqi oil sales. This led commentators such as La Manie Ma’a Dr. Qusai Shafiq (Post Impact: 3%) to label the deal as “oil for water” and a form of “extortion.” Critic Rusly Al-Maliki – Rusly Al-Maliki (Post Impact: 2%) questioned how the government could give Turkey oil in exchange for water management instead of leveraging Turkey’s need for investments.

8. Haider Al-Hamdani Questions Cost of Baghdad Bridges

In a widely viewed video, commentator Haider Al-Hamdani (Post Impact: 16%) raised concerns about the financial costs of Prime Minister Al-Sudani’s extensive bridge and overpass projects in Baghdad. Al-Hamdani described the costs as “shocking numbers that exceed expectations” and questioned whether the large expenditures on these infrastructure projects could put the payment of public sector employee salaries at risk, asking, “Are employee salaries safe?”

9. Ministry Probes Viral Video of Student Eating at School

A viral video showing a young student eating a meal in what appears to be a school’s administration office sparked a response from the Ministry of Education. The video, shared by pages like Maraya (Post Impact: 5%), led to an official statement reported by Nafs Al-Iraq (Post Impact: 5%). The Ministry announced it considers the filming and circulation of the clip a “blatant violation of students’ privacy” and has formed an investigative committee to determine the circumstances and hold those responsible accountable.

10. PM Al-Sudani Opens Internal Security Forces Hospital

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al-Sudani inaugurated the new Internal Security Forces Hospital in Baghdad, a 126-bed facility equipped with modern medical devices. Pages like the official Ministry of Interior (Post Impact: 2%) and Maher Mouhi::Sawt Humat Al-Watan (Post Impact: 2%) celebrated the opening as a major achievement for the ministry’s personnel and their families. The Prime Minister’s official page noted that this was one of many stalled projects, delayed since 2009, that his government has successfully completed and delivered.