2026-09-13: PM Al-Zaydi’s European Tour & International Relations
Based on an analysis of 414 posts by Miqrab AI, the key narratives trending on Facebook in Iraq on September 13, 2026, revolved around high-level government activities and regional tensions. The most prominent story was Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaydi’s official European tour to France and Germany, which was covered extensively by official government pages and prompted both critical and supportive commentary. Another significant theme was the sharp criticism directed at the Iraqi government’s relationship with Iran, particularly concerning oil and fuel shortages. Domestic security was also a focus, with official announcements of counter-terrorism arrests gaining traction. Other conversations included updates on the conflict in Yemen, local community disputes, governmental actions against Korek Telecom, and uncertainty regarding the start of the new school year.
Table Of Content
- 1. PM Al-Zaydi’s European Tour & International Relations
- 2. Criticism of Iraqi Government’s Relationship with Iran
- 3. Counter-Terrorism Service Arrests Three Suspects
- 4. Houthi Gains Reported Against Saudi-Backed Forces in Yemen
- 5. Local Dispute and Reconciliation in Al-Hurriya District
- 6. Authorities Take Action Against Korek Telecom Over Debts
- 7. Uncertainty Surrounds Start Date of New School Year
- 8. Debates on “The Decision is Yours” Political Talk Show
- 9. National Security Advisor Qassim Al-Araji’s Public Visits
- 10. Infinix Mobile Explores Manufacturing in Iraq
Today’s Top 10 Facebook Trends in Iraq:
1. PM Al-Zaydi’s European Tour & International Relations
The official European tour of Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaydi was a major topic of discussion. The Media Office of the Iraqi Prime Minister (Post Impact: 20%) announced that the Prime Minister, leading a high-level delegation, arrived in Paris for an official visit that also includes Germany. The stated purpose of the tour is to enhance partnerships in energy, security, and transport, with meetings scheduled with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The page also shared a video of his arrival in Paris (Media Office of the Iraqi Prime Minister (Post Impact: 33%)). While official pages promoted the visit’s importance, some commentators were skeptical. Dr. Yahya Al-Kubaisi (Post Impact: 9%) questioned what new outcomes could be expected, listing similar trips by previous prime ministers. Conversely, Maraya (Post Impact: 4%) cited a report from The Guardian praising Al-Zaydi’s anti-corruption campaign as an “unprecedented earthquake” shaking corrupt empires in Iraq.
2. Criticism of Iraqi Government’s Relationship with Iran
Commentator Rusly Al-Maliki drove a critical narrative regarding Iraq’s relationship with Iran, particularly concerning oil and fuel. In a highly engaged post, Rusly Al-Maliki (Post Impact: 33%) condemned the Iraqi government’s perceived weakness, stating that while Iran blocks an unnamed country’s oil exports and threatens its pipelines, the Iraqi leadership fails to retaliate by closing its borders to Iranian exports. He mockingly suggested this is because there are no “real men” in the government. In another post, Rusly Al-Maliki (Post Impact: 14%) sarcastically linked a gasoline crisis in Iraq to a simultaneous one in Iran, writing, “Oh, what a coincidence… Yes, we know they need gasoline.”
3. Counter-Terrorism Service Arrests Three Suspects
Security news featured prominently with reports of successful counter-terrorism operations. The official page of the Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service ICTS (Post Impact: 17%) announced that its forces had arrested three individuals accused of terrorism. The operation was based on precise intelligence information and was carried out within the sector of the First Special Operations Command. The statement emphasized that this action is part of ongoing efforts to pursue wanted individuals and enhance security across the country. The news was also shared by other pages, including The Clean Brotherhood (Post Impact: 17%) and Iraqi Special Operations Forces (Post Impact: 5%), amplifying the official security narrative.
4. Houthi Gains Reported Against Saudi-Backed Forces in Yemen
The ongoing conflict in Yemen was a topic of interest, with pages focusing on reported Houthi successes against Saudi-backed forces. The Tactical Cell (Post Impact: 47%) shared a video allegedly showing Houthi forces after they captured an American-made Oshkosh M-ATV armored vehicle. The page noted that Saudi Arabia had supplied about 153 such vehicles to the government forces it supports. Similarly, Ahmed Al-Thawaq (Post Impact: 10%) posted that the “Saudi army (the Indomie army)” fled without resistance, leaving behind sensitive equipment as Yemeni armed forces advanced and liberated territory.
5. Local Dispute and Reconciliation in Al-Hurriya District
A local dispute in Baghdad’s Al-Hurriya district and its resolution played out across two posts from activist Hassan Zuher Hakim. Initially, Hassan Zuher Hakim (Post Impact: 48%) announced that he and other residents would file a lawsuit against an individual who had insulted the people of Al-Hurriya and surrounding areas. However, in a subsequent post, the tone shifted to one of reconciliation. Hassan Zuher Hakim (Post Impact: 5%) called for forgiveness, stating, “Forgiveness is a sign of ability… he is your son and he made a mistake, and he admitted the mistake, and you are generous, and the forgiving one is gracious.”
6. Authorities Take Action Against Korek Telecom Over Debts
The ongoing dispute between the Iraqi government and Korek Telecom saw new developments. The page Technology and Communications (Post Impact: 5%) reported that MP Hayam Al-Yasiri announced that Korek’s movable and immovable assets have been seized over its outstanding debts. However, the MP questioned whether this seizure was sufficient and demanded that the Communications and Media Commission (CMC) clarify the value of the seized assets and provide a timeline for full debt recovery. In a related development, Mosul – MOSUL (Post Impact: 7%) reported that the CMC has given Korek users until the end of September to secure their digital accounts before the company’s exchanges are gradually shut down.
7. Uncertainty Surrounds Start Date of New School Year
There was confusion among Facebook users regarding the official start date for the 2026-2027 academic year. Diyala Diyala TV (Post Impact: 11%) initially announced that the Ministry of Education had confirmed the school year would begin on Sunday, September 20. However, the situation became less clear when the same page later reported that a proposal to delay the start until October 1 was “under consideration” (Diyala Diyala TV (Post Impact: 6%)). This was echoed by Nafs Iraq (Post Impact: 4%), leaving parents and students uncertain about the final date.
8. Debates on “The Decision is Yours” Political Talk Show
Clips from the political talk show “Al-Qarar Lakum” (The Decision is Yours), hosted by Sahar Abbas Jameel, sparked debate online. In one segment shared by Sahar Abbas Jameel (Post Impact: 22%), a discussion arose about Iraqi factions defending the regime of Bashar al-Assad in Syria. One guest, Al-Qurayshi, countered a claim by stating that the factions went to Syria to defend the shrine of Sayyida Zainab, not Assad himself. Another clip from the same page (Sahar Abbas Jameel (Post Impact: 13%)) featured a debate between a guest identified as a former Tishreen protestor who now defends “the resistance” and another guest who spoke about the legitimacy of the protestors’ original demands.
9. National Security Advisor Qassim Al-Araji’s Public Visits
Qassim Al-Araji, the National Security Advisor, was featured in posts highlighting his community engagement. His official page, Qassim Al-Araji (Post Impact: 30%), reported that he visited artist Ali Taher to check on his health and wish him a speedy recovery. In another instance, the Ali Athab – Ali Athab (Post Impact: 4%) foundation page shared that Al-Araji visited the Ali Athab Foundation for the Care of Orphans and the Elderly, where he met with residents to check on their conditions and needs.
10. Infinix Mobile Explores Manufacturing in Iraq
A post with high engagement from Mustafa Sanad (Post Impact: 66%) highlighted a potential boost for local industry. Sanad reported on a meeting with Infinix Iraq, a company specializing in smartphones and tech devices, to discuss the possibility of assembling and manufacturing mobile phones within Iraq. The post stated that such a move would contribute to the development of national industry and enhance local investment opportunities, reflecting a push towards domestic production and economic diversification.


