Based on a Miqrab AI analysis of 450 Facebook posts trending on December 29, 2025, the primary focus of online conversation in Iraq was domestic politics, specifically the election of new parliamentary leadership. Discussions centered on the selection of Haybat al-Halbousi as Speaker and Adnan Fayhan as his first deputy, with many commentators noting the unusually calm and orderly nature of the session. Alongside political news, there was significant engagement with posts about a severe winter storm bringing snow and cold temperatures to northern Iraq. Other prominent themes included public discontent over delayed salaries and alleged corruption, the anniversary of Saddam Hussein’s execution, the unveiling of new currency in neighboring Syria, and escalating rhetoric from the US and Israel regarding Iran’s missile program.

Today’s Top 10 Facebook Trends in Iraq:

1. Parliament Elects New Leadership in Peaceful Session

Facebook pages widely covered the Iraqi Parliament’s election of new leadership for its sixth session. Alkhowa Alnadifa (Post Impact: 6%) and Iraqeen W Bas (Post Impact: 3%) announced the election of “Haybat Al-Halbousi” as the new Speaker. Concurrently, pages such as Dr. Hanan Al-Fatlawi (Post Impact: 10%) and Alkhowa Alnadifa (Post Impact: 4%) reported that Adnan Fayhan of the Sadiqoun bloc was elected First Deputy Speaker. A recurring theme was the calm nature of the session, a point of surprise and relief for some commentators. Dr. Hanan Al-Fatlawi noted the process was completed “peacefully and smoothly and (without punches),” a sentiment echoed sarcastically by Muna Sami (Post Impact: 6%), who called it a “cute session” because there were “no fights, no punches.”

2. Public Discontent Over Salaries and Corruption

Criticism of the government and political class was a powerful theme, driven by public frustration over economic issues and corruption. Set Ashwaq um Alqanounia (Post Impact: 14%) voiced strong discontent over salary delays, asking, “If we receive our salaries every 45 days, what’s the use of parliament?” This post questioned the silence of officials on the matter. In a similar vein, allegations of political corruption were highlighted by Mohammed Al-Khaza’i (Post Impact: 16%), who shared a clip from his show on Al-Rabiaa TV featuring Ibrahim al-Dulaymi discussing vote-buying with the stark quote: “Your price is 100 thousand and you shut up.” This reflects a narrative of widespread cynicism and anger towards the political establishment.

3. Winter Storms Bring Heavy Snow and Cold Weather

A severe winter storm affecting Iraq captured significant attention, with many pages sharing images and videos of heavy snowfall, particularly in the Kurdistan region. Alkhowa Alnadifa (Post Impact: 8%) reported that Erbil was “adorned in white after a severe snow wave.” Other regions were also affected, as shown by IRAQ Places (Post Impact: 2%), which posted aerial footage of snow on Mount Sinjar. The cold temperatures were a major concern, with Telescope Iraq (Post Impact: 3%) warning that the night would be “the coldest night of 2025” and “bitterly cold.” Consequently, pages like Diyala TV (Post Impact: 3%) announced that some provinces were suspending official working hours due to the weather.

4. Aziz Nasser Pledges to Serve the Iraqi People

A post by politician Aziz Nasser – Aziz Nasser (Post Impact: 100%) achieved exceptionally high engagement. In the post, Nasser shared a photo of himself and reaffirmed his commitment to the Iraqi people. He wrote, “I swore to be in the service of my people, and I will remain true to the covenant, God willing, loyal to our beloved Iraq. 🇮🇶” The message, signed “Your brother Aziz Nasser,” resonated strongly with his audience, making it the single most impactful post in this analysis despite being a single-source story.

5. Syria Unveils New Currency After Revaluation

Several Iraqi pages reported on Syria’s decision to issue new currency. The news was framed as a positive development for the Syrian people. Steven Nabil (Post Impact: 4%) congratulated the Syrian people on selecting images that “indicate peace, roses, and Syrian crops.” Pages like Rusly Al-Maliki – رسلي المالكي (Post Impact: 3%) and Baghdad (Post Impact: 2%) specified that the change involved removing two or three zeros from the currency’s value. The new banknotes reportedly feature symbols representing various regions of Syria, including the north, south, and coast.

6. Muqtada al-Sadr Continues Engagement with Followers

The official page of The Private Office of His Eminence Sayyid Muqtada al-Sadr (Post Impact: 3%) shared updates on his activities, indicating his continued influence and engagement with his base. One post detailed his review of his representative’s activities in Babil province, where he responded to a request from elites for a special committee by stating, “This is within the authority of our representative if he finds it in the interest.” A separate post from the same page (Post Impact: 3%) reported on his review of activities in Diyala, praising efforts to care for the families of martyrs and resolve disputes, commenting, “This is our hope in them.” These posts show a focus on grassroots organization and social cohesion within the Sadrist movement.

7. US-Israel Rhetoric Against Iran Escalates

Tensions surrounding Iran’s military programs were a topic of discussion, focusing on a meeting between former US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The Tactical Cell (Post Impact: 2%) reported that during the meeting, Trump stated that if Iran continues to build its military capabilities, “we will have to strike these capabilities again.” The page noted that Israel seeks a joint US-Israeli military campaign. A similar report from Hussein Imran (Post Impact: 1%) quoted Trump as saying a strike should be “immediate” if Iran continues its nuclear program. Both pages interpret these statements as a coordinated escalation and a shift in focus to Iran’s ballistic missile program.

8. Remembering Saddam Hussein on Execution Anniversary

The anniversary of Saddam Hussein’s execution prompted discussions about his legacy. Pages approached the topic from different angles, reflecting divided public memory. Bent Al-Iraq (Post Impact: 5%) posed a direct question to its audience: “Will we celebrate the anniversary of Saddam’s execution or not?” Other pages, like Sanan (Post Impact: 1%), shared detailed stories illustrating the brutality of his regime, such as the execution of two doctors for telling a joke about the former leader. This content serves to remind followers of the justifications for his removal and trial.

9. Conflicting Views on Baghdad’s Tourist Appeal

The state of tourism in Baghdad was discussed with contrasting perspectives. On one hand, Baghdad Projects (Post Impact: 2%) celebrated the beautification of Al-Rasheed Street with New Year’s lights, presenting it as a key project to transform old Baghdad into a vibrant cultural and commercial hub. The post, supported by the “Nabdh Baghdad” initiative, highlighted efforts to make the area a top destination. On the other hand, Babylon Gate of the Gods (Post Impact: 2%) presented a critical view, listing numerous major historical and cultural sites in Baghdad—including the Iraqi Museum, Al-Mustansiriya School, and the Martyr’s Monument—as being closed for “maintenance” for extended periods. This page argued that the title “Baghdad, Capital of Arab Tourism” is merely for media consumption.

10. The Withdrawal of Muthanna al-Samarrai from Speaker Race

A key subplot of the parliamentary speaker election was the withdrawal of candidate Muthanna al-Samarrai. His decision was portrayed as a strategic move for national unity. According to Ahmed Althawaq (Post Impact: 6%), al-Samarrai returned to the parliament hall alongside Hadi al-Amiri, who congratulated him on his withdrawal. Al-Samarrai reportedly explained his decision was for the “national interest.” Further details were discussed by Mohammed Al-Khaza’i (Post Impact: 1%), who hosted Ibrahim al-Dulaymi on his show to reveal the behind-the-scenes events leading to the withdrawal. The narrative suggests high-level political negotiations were crucial in consolidating support for a single candidate.