Based on a Miqrab AI analysis of 415 Facebook posts trending in Iraq on May 19, 2026, the primary themes revolve around domestic politics, government administration, and regional security. The most prominent narrative centered on cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, with his supporters and office actively shaping online discourse. Government decisions also featured heavily, particularly the announcement of an internet shutdown during national exams and outcomes from the latest Council of Ministers meeting. Security issues garnered significant attention, including a tense confrontation involving the governor of Babil and allegations of drone attacks being launched from Iraqi territory. These topics, alongside discussions of major corruption scandals and infrastructure projects, formed the core of the day’s conversations on Facebook in Iraq.

Today’s Top 10 Facebook Trends in Iraq:

1. Political Discourse Surrounding Muqtada al-Sadr

A significant political narrative unfolded around the Sadrist movement, with multiple pages sharing messages of support and statements from cleric Muqtada al-Sadr and his associates. The page Moslih Mohammed Al-Iraqi (Post Impact: 47%), a figure close to al-Sadr, posted a cryptic message asking followers to complete the phrase: “Do not say a word and do not…”. In a more direct statement, The Private Office of His Eminence Sayyid Muqtada al-Sadr (Post Impact: 18%) published a Q&A where al-Sadr responded to those who doubt him and level accusations against him. Supporters echoed these sentiments, with pages like Ahmed Alwashah (Post Impact: 9%) proclaiming that al-Sadr was a “resister” long before his critics. Journalist Muntadhar al-Zaidi (Post Impact: 4%) also weighed in, defending al-Sadr against accusations of being a foreign agent and drawing parallels to the accusations faced by his late father.

2. Internet Shutdown Announced for National Exams

The Iraqi government’s decision to cut internet access during national exams was a major topic of discussion. Minister of Communications Mustafa Sanad (Post Impact: 31%) announced the internet would be shut down for one and a half hours, from 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM, during the exam period. The official page of the Iraqi Ministry of Communications (Post Impact: 17%) elaborated, stating that the Ministry of Education had requested a two-hour shutdown, but the duration was reduced to minimize disruption to citizens and state institutions. The ministry also noted it has asked the Ministry of Education to develop alternative technical solutions to avoid future internet cuts. News pages like Baghdad (Post Impact: 2%) and Technology and Communications (Post Impact: 1%) widely reported the announcement.

3. Minister Sanad’s Strategic Communications Cable Project

Minister of Communications Mustafa Sanad promoted a strategic project to position Iraq as a key transit hub for international communications cables. In a post on his personal page, Mustafa Sanad (Post Impact: 25%) shared a map illustrating how Iraq could offer a shortcut for global data traffic, increasing internet speeds worldwide. He argued this would generate transit fees for the country and provide it with significant international leverage by controlling a “nerve of the world.” Sanad stated that there are several offers for this strategic project and expressed his commitment to achieving this goal during his tenure. The Iraqi Ministry of Communications (Post Impact: 2%) also shared a related video of the minister meeting with the state-owned Al-Salam General Company to discuss developing and improving service projects.

4. Key Decisions from the Council of Ministers Meeting

The outcomes of the second regular session of the Council of Ministers, chaired by Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi, were shared by government and news pages. The Media Office of the Iraqi Prime Minister (Post Impact: 11%) released a video infographic detailing the session’s decisions. According to a report by Yalla (Post Impact: 2%), directives included increasing electricity supply hours, involving citizens in evaluating public services, and enhancing market price controls. The Prime Minister also urged the Integrity Commission to prioritize the recovery of stolen funds and the pursuit of individuals convicted of corruption.

5. “Heist of the Century” Scandal Amount Reportedly Grows

New details emerged regarding the infamous “Heist of the Century” corruption case, with reports indicating the amount of stolen funds is significantly larger than previously stated. Journalist Rusly Al-Maliki (Post Impact: 6%) commented that the “deal of the century turned out to be 5 billion dollars, not 2.5.” Meanwhile, page Ahmed Althawaq (Post Impact: 1%) cited the Parliamentary Integrity Committee, stating that investigations revealed the value of embezzled funds has risen to nearly 8 trillion Iraqi dinars. The news was also covered satirically by comedian Ammar Al-Halfi (Post Impact: 3%).

6. UAE Alleges Drone Attack Originated from Iraq

A major regional security story developed after the United Arab Emirates’ Ministry of Defence claimed that drone attacks targeting its territory, including the Barakah nuclear power plant, originated from Iraq. The page Al-Khuwa Al-Nathifa (Post Impact: 5%) reported the Emirati statement, which specified that one drone hit a power generator outside the facility’s perimeter. In response, the Iraqi government condemned the attacks, as reported by Maher Mouhi::Voice of the Nation’s Protectors (Post Impact: 3%). The government’s statement affirmed its “categorical rejection of the use of Iraqi lands and airspace to attack neighboring countries” and stressed that security forces have taken all necessary measures to prevent such incidents. The Tactical Cell (Post Impact: 2%) also covered the allegations.

7. Babil Governor Resigns After Confrontation with Armed Group

Several pages reported on a tense standoff in Babil province that allegedly led to the governor’s resignation. According to Latest Iraqi Events (Post Impact: 4%), Governor Ali Turki was confronted by masked, armed men who prevented him from proceeding with a construction project, claiming the area was a military camp. A video shared by the page Baghdad (Post Impact: 2%) showed the governor shouting that armed individuals were brandishing weapons at him. Following the incident, pages like Al-Adhamiya News (Post Impact: 2%) and Iraq 24 (Post Impact: 1%) announced that the governor had submitted his resignation.

8. Government Bans Plastic Bags in Bakeries

A specific decision from the Council of Ministers meeting to ban single-use plastic bags at bakeries received focused attention as a positive environmental step. The page Iraqis Only (Post Impact: 5%) described it as a “good health step,” noting the directive calls for replacing them with environmentally friendly alternatives like paper. Support for Iraqi Security Forces (Post Impact: 2%) also praised the move for its benefit to citizens’ health and reported that the import of such bags would also be banned. The decision was also highlighted by Iraq 24 (Post Impact: 1%).

9. Official Eid Al-Adha and Eid Al-Ghadir Holidays Announced

The government’s announcement of upcoming public holidays was shared across multiple news and community pages. The Council of Ministers declared an official holiday for all state institutions for Eid al-Adha, running from May 26 to May 30, with work resuming on May 31. As reported by Al-Khuwa Al-Nathifa (Post Impact: 4%), an additional holiday was announced for Thursday, June 4, to mark Eid al-Ghadir. The news was also shared by pages like Tech 4 Peace (Post Impact: 1%) and Diyala TV (Post Impact: 1%).

10. Parliamentary Committee Addresses Diyala’s Electricity Crisis

The severe electricity shortage expected in Diyala province this summer was a key concern, prompting a visit from the parliamentary Energy Committee. East of Iraq (Post Impact: 1%) reported that the committee issued stark warnings from the Diyala Electricity Distribution Company headquarters, stating that a sharp drop in power generation due to the halt in Iranian gas supplies would lead to harsh rationing schedules, possibly reaching “5 hours of cut for every 1 hour of supply.” The committee also discussed proposals to subsidize generator fuel and grant governors judicial-like powers to punish generator owners who violate pricing or operating hours. Diyala TV (Post Impact: 1%) also covered the committee’s visit to the province to address the electricity problems.