Based on a Miqrab AI analysis of 444 Facebook posts trending in Iraq on February 15, 2026, the most prominent online conversations revolved around the political movements of cleric Muqtada al-Sadr and speculation about his potential return to the political scene. Another major theme was the government’s preparations for the upcoming month of Ramadan, with the Ministry of Interior issuing strict regulations regarding public conduct and business operations. Additionally, geopolitical analysis concerning China’s growing intelligence capabilities in the Middle East and renewed tensions between Iran and the United States garnered significant attention. Expressions of national pride and support for an Iraqi military officer also generated massive engagement, alongside news of urban development projects in Baghdad.

Today’s Top 10 Facebook Trends in Iraq:

1. Muqtada al-Sadr’s Political Movements and Potential Return

Conversations surrounding Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr are gaining significant traction, fueled by official announcements and political analysis. The Private Office of His Eminence Sayyid Muqtada al-Sadr (Post Impact: 13%) announced that al-Sadr has authorized the establishment of “Al-Sadr Guesthouses” in Karbala, Samarra, and Sadr City. This news was amplified by pages like Saraya al-Salam- Central Media Directorate (Post Impact: 1%), which shared a video of his visit to a shrine. Analyst Steven Nabil (Post Impact: 5%) contextualized these moves, suggesting that many believe al-Sadr’s absence from politics has “confused the entire process and upset the balance,” and that any early election could see a powerful return of the Sadrist movement.

2. Ministry of Interior Announces Ramadan Regulations

The Ministry of Interior has issued a formal statement outlining regulations for the upcoming holy month of Ramadan, a topic widely shared by news and community pages. The statement, posted by Al-Khawa Al-Nadheefa (Post Impact: 10%) and The Media Office of the Minister of Interior (Post Impact: 2%), details a ban on consuming alcohol and the closure of liquor stores throughout the month. Additionally, it mandates the closure of restaurants, cafes, and other food-serving establishments during fasting hours, with exceptions only for officially licensed venues. The Ministry warned that violators will face legal action.

3. China’s Intelligence Role in the Middle East

A detailed analysis of China’s growing geopolitical influence through technological means is trending, primarily driven by two posts from Al-Khaleia Al-Tacticia (Post Impact: 2%). The page reports that Chinese commercial satellite companies have revealed precise intelligence on US military positions across the Middle East. The analysis suggests this is not merely a technical capability but a “deep geopolitical message” that reshapes conflict management in the region. The page argues China is asserting strategic, indirect influence, challenging US operational secrecy and altering the “rules of informational engagement” by demonstrating an ability to monitor US movements in near real-time. Another post (Post Impact: 2%) from the same page located a US aircraft carrier and detailed Iranian missile systems capable of reaching it.

4. Nationalist Support for Lt. Col. Asaad al-Harishawi

A post expressing strong national pride and calling for support for a military officer has achieved massive engagement online. The post by Aziz Nasser – Aziz Nasser (Post Impact: 100%) asserts, “Iraq is more than 7,000 years old and bigger than all the Gulf countries; this is not how it should be treated.” The post goes on to specifically name Lieutenant Colonel Asaad al-Harishawi as an “ibn of this great country” who everyone must demand be supported, signaling a strong public reaction to an unspecified event involving the officer.

5. Baghdad’s New Dancing Fountain Generates Excitement

Positive news from the capital is circulating as pages celebrate the inauguration of a new dancing fountain at the Baghdad Tourist Island. Pages like Baghdad (Post Impact: 3%) and Iraq Projects – Masharii Al-Iraq (Post Impact: 2%) shared videos of the attraction. The fountain is being promoted as a significant new landmark, with Iraq Projects claiming it is the “second longest dancing fountain in the world.” The posts reflect public excitement over new recreational and development projects in the city.

6. US-Iran Tensions and Trump’s Comments

Heightened tensions between the United States and Iran are a key topic, with several pages sharing reports on statements made by former US President Donald Trump and responses from Iran. Rusly Al-Maliki – Rusly Al-Maliki the Author (Post Impact: 1%) quotes CBS News, reporting that Trump told Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu he would support strikes on Iran’s ballistic missile program. Another page, Masho A’ani Al-Ahabahum (Post Impact: 1%), quotes Trump threatening Iran’s Supreme Leader. In response, a post by Dr. Mudhaffar Qassim Hussein (Post Impact: 1%) quotes Iran’s Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi, warning that any confrontation “will be a lesson” for Trump. Iraq 24 (Post Impact: 1%) also shared news of an Iranian official responding to Trump.

7. Extortion Allegations Circulate Against Ismail al-Waeli

Allegations of a high-level extortion ring are spreading on Facebook, centered on an individual named Ismail Musbah al-Waeli. Both Ahmed Althawaq (Post Impact: 2%) and La Manie Ma’a al-Doctor Qusai Shafiq (Post Impact: 1%) posted what they claim is a leaked audio recording of al-Waeli. In the recording, he is allegedly heard blackmailing a businessman for “50 notebooks” (slang for $500,000) in exchange for using his supposed influence with American officials to have sanctions lifted. The posts describe it as a “dangerous network” for extorting Iraqi businessmen.

8. Education Ministry Announces Changes to Exams and Curriculum

The Ministry of Education has made two significant announcements affecting students. According to Al-Khawa Al-Nadheefa (Post Impact: 2%), the Ministry’s Opinion Board has approved a change for the 2024-2025 academic year, allowing students to retake final exams if they fail in three subjects instead of the previous limit of two. In a separate development, Professor Ammar Ghalib (Post Impact: 1%) informed his followers that the ministry has reduced the curriculum for sixth-grade preparatory students, confirming the removal of 14 exercises, two units, and one essay from the syllabus.

9. Officer Praised for Returning $10,000 to Deceased’s Family

An act of integrity by an Iraqi officer is being celebrated across multiple pages. Akher Al-Ahdath Al-Iraqiya (Post Impact: 1%) and Atilla Al-Agha (Post Impact: 1%) shared the story of Lieutenant Colonel Ali Qassem Al-Bayati from Kirkuk. After a man from Erbil died in a traffic accident, the officer found $10,000 in his possession while searching for his ID. Lt. Col. Al-Bayati returned the entire sum to the man’s family. The pages are hailing his actions as “a wonderful example of trustworthiness” and a confirmation of “professional honesty and humanitarian responsibility.”

10. Parliament Summons Ambassador to Saudi Arabia

The Iraqi Council of Representatives is taking diplomatic action, according to posts from its official page and other observers. The Iraqi Council of Representatives (Post Impact: 1%) announced that the Speaker, Haibat al-Halbousi, has directed the Foreign Ministry to summon Safia al-Suhail, the Iraqi ambassador to Saudi Arabia, within 48 hours for an investigation. This move, also reported by Ahmed Althawaq (Post Impact: 1%), followed calls from parliament members to hold her legally accountable for an unspecified issue. The parliamentary session also addressed issues such as water shortages and the employment of medical graduates.