Based on an analysis of 430 Facebook posts trending on December 28, 2025, Miqrab AI identified several key narratives dominating online discourse in Iraq. The most prominent themes were political and economic, with significant public discontent directed at the government’s financial policies, particularly a recent decision to raise customs tariffs and persistent delays in salary payments. Political maneuvering was also a major topic, focusing on the nomination of a new Parliament Speaker and the suspension of a well-known journalist, which sparked debates on press freedom. Alongside these political issues, Iraqis shared human-interest stories highlighting acts of generosity, followed discussions on resurgent historical grievances, and monitored security updates and severe weather events in the Kurdistan region.

Today’s Top 10 Facebook Trends in Iraq:

1. Government Criticized for Raising Customs Tariffs

Facebook pages widely shared news of the Council of Ministers’ decision to raise customs tariffs on consumer goods, sparking significant criticism. The page Haydar Al-Hamdani (Post Impact: 48%) sarcastically framed the move as “Good news for Iraqis,” highlighting that the Kurdistan Region was exempted from the decision. This move by a caretaker government prompted a legal challenge from MP Mustafa Sanad. The Mustafa Sanad – Mustafa Sanad (Post Impact: 12%) page announced the filing of a lawsuit with the Federal Supreme Court to halt the government’s recent measures, arguing that a caretaker government “does not have the right to draw up long-term financial policies.”

2. Public Anger and Concern Over Delayed Salary Payments

Widespread concern over the delay in salary payments was a major topic of conversation, driven by posts questioning when citizens would receive their pay. The page Mohammad Nasser Khalif Mohammad Nasser Khalif (Post Impact: 39%) posted a widely engaged video simply asking, “Who has received their salary?” In another critical video, the same page (Post Impact: 16%) directly addressed the authorities, stating, “Do not be courteous at the expense of the people. The people are exhausted, the people are broken, you have destroyed them. Where are the people’s salaries?” Adding to the tense atmosphere, the Tech 4 Peace The Technology for Peace (Post Impact: 1%) page debunked a fake statement attributed to Finance Minister Taif Sami, which falsely claimed salaries would be paid every 45 days.

3. Journalist Ahmed Mulla Talal’s Suspension Extended

The decision by the Communications and Media Commission to extend the suspension of journalist Ahmed Mulla Talal for an additional two months generated a strong reaction online. Ahmed Mulla Talal (Post Impact: 18%) announced the news on his page, stating that after completing an initial 10-day penalty, a new decision was issued to prevent him from appearing on screen for another 60 days. He described the situation as a return to the days of Saddam Hussein and declared his intention to pursue legal action, arguing, “It is not permissible to be punished for the same violation twice!!” The page Alkhowa Alnadifa (Post Impact: 4%) also reported the news, while Steven Nabil (Post Impact: 3%) called the extension a “very strange act” with no justification, especially at a sensitive time when citizens need political analysis.

4. Sunni Blocs Nominate Haibat al-Halbousi for Parliament Speaker

Multiple pages reported on the announcement by the National Political Council, representing a majority of Sunni blocs, nominating Haibat al-Halbousi for the position of Speaker of Parliament. Pages like Alkhowa Alnadifa (Post Impact: 15%) and Steven Nabil (Post Impact: 7%) shared the news, asking for public opinion on the choice. The official page of Khamis al-Khanjar (Post Impact: 7%) shared a video of his speech at the conference where the announcement was made, in which he called on other political blocs to respect the Sunni majority’s decision.

5. Story of Landlord Gifting House to Orphans Goes Viral

A heartwarming story about a landlord’s act of kindness was widely shared, providing a positive narrative amidst political and economic frustrations. The page Mohammad Nasser Khalif Mohammad Nasser Khalif (Post Impact: 16%) detailed the story of a man from Al-Shatrah who, upon learning that his tenants in Diwaniyah had been orphaned in a car accident, immediately went to the real estate registration office and transferred ownership of the house to them. The Baghdad (Post Impact: 6%) page also shared the story, describing it as one of those tales that makes you “review yourself in this cruel world and shows you that there is still good.”

6. Severe Weather Hits Kurdistan, Prompts Travel Warnings

Heavy snowfall and severe weather conditions in the Kurdistan Region were a major focus, with several pages sharing videos and official warnings. The page Set Ashwaq um alqanunia (Post Impact: 15%) posted a live video from the snow-covered Haj Omran area in Erbil. Official warnings were also circulated, with Ahmed AlHamdani – Ahmed AlHamdani (Post Impact: 4%) sharing an urgent alert from the Erbil Governorate about the danger of ice on roads like Safin Mountain and Shaklawa-Hiran, advising against travel unless absolutely necessary. Meanwhile, Baghdad (Post Impact: 9%) reported that heavy rains caused a landslide on Mount Haibat Sultan, completely cutting off a road.

7. Controversy Around Saddam Era Resurfaces in Online Debates

Discussions about the legacy of Saddam Hussein and historical grievances resurfaced, often linked to contemporary political figures. The Hussam Alhaj hussam alhaj (Post Impact: 6%) page shared a clip of Mashaan al-Jubouri commenting on the actions of Nawaf al-Zaydan regarding Uday and Qusay Saddam. This sparked counter-arguments, such as one from the Bint Aliraq (Post Impact: 5%) page, which criticized Zaydan by invoking the memory of the Speicher massacre victims. In a separate but related context, Rusly Al-Maliki – Rusly Al-Maliki (Post Impact: 10%) mocked the continued imitation of Saddam Hussein years after the fall of his regime and the death of other world leaders from that era.

8. Security Forces Announce Arrests and Seizures

Official security-focused pages reported on recent operations against terrorism and illegal activities. The Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service Icts (Post Impact: 5%) announced the arrest of five ISIS members in separate operations in Kirkuk, Anbar, and Nineveh, stating that some of the detainees worked as transporters and suppliers for the terrorist group. In a different operation, the Iraqi National Intelligence Service (Post Impact: 2%) reported that its units at the Umm Qasr port seized 30 containers filled with highly dangerous chemical materials that were imported without official approvals.

9. Political Tensions Rise Between Sadr and Sunni Leaders

Reports of escalating political tensions between Sadrist leader Muqtada al-Sadr and Sunni political figures, particularly Khamis al-Khanjar, circulated online. The page Ahmed Al-Thawaq (Post Impact: 5%) claimed that Khamis al-Khanjar launched an attack on al-Sadr and Rayan al-Kildani for their rejection of a speech by Patriarch Louis Sako, which was perceived as having a “normalizing tone with the Zionists.” Al-Thawaq’s post accused Khanjar of trying to “turn the facts upside down and pass his sectarian discourse,” and alleged that Khanjar described those who objected to Sako’s speech as “little ones.” This report comes as Khamis al-Khanjar (Post Impact: 7%) shared a video of his speech from the conference where he was promoting his candidate for parliament speaker.

10. Social Media Content Targets Iraqis Interested in US Immigration

Several pages shared content seemingly aimed at Iraqis interested in immigrating to the United States. Pages such as Iraqis in Amrica – USA Iraqis (Post Impact: 5%) and Iraqis in United States The Original Page (Post Impact: 3%) posted short videos with identical, extensive lists of hashtags related to life in America. The hashtags included terms like #usa, #immigration, #refugees, #greencard, and the names of various US states like New York, Texas, California, and Michigan, suggesting a coordinated effort to reach Iraqis searching for information on moving to the US.