Based on a Miqrab AI analysis of 535 trending Facebook posts on October 21, 2025, the primary narratives in Iraq revolve around security, politics, and public services. The most significant story was the arrest of suspects in the assassination of Baghdad Provincial Council member Safaa Al-Mashhadani, with official announcements driving the conversation. Discussions also featured praise for government infrastructure projects, such as the new Abu Nuwas road, alongside sharp criticism of the Ministry of Education’s spending priorities. As elections approach, political satire is gaining traction, with shows and commentators targeting candidates and voter behavior. Human interest stories, including the prolonged search for a drowned youth, and geopolitical topics, such as U.S. concerns over Iran-backed militias, also captured significant public attention.

Today’s Top 10 Facebook Trends in Iraq:

1. Arrests Made in Assassination of Baghdad Council Member Safaa Al-Mashhadani

Multiple pages reported on the arrest of suspects involved in the assassination of Safaa Al-Mashhadani, a member of the Baghdad Provincial Council. The Iraqi Ministry of Interior (Post Impact: 24%) issued an official statement announcing that five suspects were apprehended in Al-Tarmia district following intensive intelligence efforts and in coordination with Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) security. The page Al-Khawa Al-Nadifa (The Clean Brotherhood) (Post Impact: 74%) added that the raid targeted a Tribal Mobilization Forces headquarters. Pages like Ahmed Al-Thawaq (Post Impact: 59%) and Rusly Al-Maliki (Post Impact: 36%) also shared the news, with the latter specifying that a special force from the Prime Minister’s office conducted the raid. The Nineveh (Post Impact: 17%) page named the five individuals arrested, noting that the explosive device was allegedly prepared at the raided headquarters.

2. Praise for New Abu Nuwas Road and Development Projects in Baghdad

The newly developed Abu Nuwas road in Baghdad has become a subject of praise on Facebook, presented as a significant achievement in urban infrastructure. The page The Government Palace (Post Impact: 83%) shared a video of the road, filmed at 1 PM, highlighting its role in solving a major traffic problem. In another post, the same page, The Government Palace (Post Impact: 31%), contrasted the area’s past, which it described as “darkness and potholes,” with its current improved state, inviting followers to comment on the transformation. These posts portray the project as a clear example of successful government efforts to improve the quality of life and services for citizens in the capital.

3. Satirical Shows Target Upcoming Elections and Political Sycophants

Political satire is a prominent theme, particularly focusing on the upcoming elections and the behavior of political supporters. The show “Al-Ghasala” featured prominently, with a video on the Al-Ghasala (The Washing Machine) (Post Impact: 97%) page addressing sycophants, or “lukia,” during the election period, presented by host Qahtan Adnan. The show’s host, on his personal page Qahtan Adnan (Post Impact: 27%), also shared a clip where politician Mustafa Sanad claims his father attempted to assassinate Saddam Hussein. Furthermore, Albasheer Show (Post Impact: 23%) engaged its audience by asking them to creatively write an electoral program, reflecting a satirical and critical public mood surrounding the political landscape.

4. Ministry of Education Criticized for 54 Billion Dinar School Meal Program

A post by Haider Al-Hamdani (Post Impact: 83%) has drawn significant attention by criticizing the Ministry of Education’s new school meal program. The post highlights that the initiative, which provides students with bananas and biscuits, is set to cost the state 54 billion dinars. Al-Hamdani contrasts this expenditure with the ongoing shortages of basic necessities in schools, questioning the ministry’s priorities by stating, “And the students are without seats or curricula!?”. The post expresses outrage over the allocation of such a large sum to a food program while fundamental educational infrastructure remains neglected, framing it as a case of misguided government spending.

5. Ongoing Search for Drowned Youth Hussein Al-Jayashi Captures Public Attention

The search for Hussein Al-Jayashi, a young man who drowned, continues to be a major human interest story. Al-Khawa Al-Nadifa (The Clean Brotherhood) (Post Impact: 57%) reported that the search has entered its eighth day, with rescue teams and volunteers from various provinces participating. The page noted that while three other bodies have been found during the search, Al-Jayashi’s has not yet been located, amidst widespread solidarity and aid from locals. The page Breaking News (Post Impact: 35%) featured an interview with a diver involved in the search in the Al-Kari’at area of Baghdad, who described the extreme difficulty of the operation due to zero visibility in the water. He described the area as a “disaster,” stating that entering the water is like “entering a dark room.”

6. U.S. Expresses Concerns Over Iran-Backed Militias and Engages with Iraqi Government

U.S. policy towards Iraq and Iran-backed militias has been a key topic of discussion. Al-Khawa Al-Nadifa (The Clean Brotherhood) (Post Impact: 29%) reported on a phone call between an unnamed U.S. official (identified as Rubio) and Prime Minister Al-Sudani, citing the U.S. State Department. The discussion reportedly focused on the need to disarm Iran-backed militias, which are seen as undermining Iraq’s sovereignty and threatening both Iraqi and American lives. Similarly, Al-Iraqi Al-Aseel (The Authentic Iraqi) (Post Impact: 25%) also shared a statement from the U.S. State Department declaring that these factions threaten the lives and work of Americans and Iraqis. The page Mohammed Jabbar (Post Impact: 53%) framed this as a “new message” from Washington to Baghdad being delivered in a different way.

7. Satirical Show “Albasheer Show” Features TV Personality Karar Al-Magsousi

A segment from the popular satirical program “Albasheer Show,” featuring media personality Karar Al-Magsousi, generated high engagement. The post from Albasheer Show (Post Impact: 82%) shared a clip from the episode, commenting on how the show delved into Al-Magsousi’s personal life with the caption, “Karar Al-Magsousi got us into a loop with his personal life! From the cork board to the grace of God Almighty!” The post, part of the show’s “X and Square” and “Six Meters” segments, prompted viewers to watch the full episode, indicating significant public interest in the show’s comedic take on public figures and social issues.

8. Report Alleges Iraqi University Students are Being Recruited as Mercenaries for Russian Army

An investigative report shared by The Iraqi Network for Investigative Journalism “NIRIJ” (Post Impact: 60%) has raised alarms about Iraqi university students allegedly being recruited to fight as mercenaries for the Russian army. The post describes how smuggling networks attract and recruit these students, with what begins as study or tourist trips ending in them volunteering for the Russian military. The short video clip poses the question, “How do Iraqis turn from university students to mercenaries in the Russian army?” This story highlights a serious and unusual issue, suggesting that young Iraqis are being drawn into foreign conflicts under false pretenses.

9. Minister of Communications Defends Vodafone Project Amidst Controversy

The stalled national mobile license project with Vodafone was a topic of discussion, with Minister of Communications Dr. Hyam Al-Yasiri defending the initiative. In a podcast clip shared by Jeem Seen (Post Impact: 40%), Dr. Al-Yasiri stated that the “Vodafone project was stopped as a result of a conflict of interest between some companies.” This narrative was supported by an official post from the Iraqi Ministry of Communications (Post Impact: 11%), which reported on the minister’s meeting with several Members of Parliament. During the meeting, she thanked the MPs for their support and clarified that the project had been targeted by “misinformation,” reaffirming its national importance for increasing state revenues and creating jobs.

10. Video Surfaces Showing Opening of Nimrud Treasure by US Forces

A historical video showing the opening of the Treasure of Nimrud after 2003 has been circulating on Facebook. A post by Babylon, Gate of the Gods (Post Impact: 51%) shared the footage, explaining that it depicts US forces, accompanied by an Iraqi inventory committee, opening the boxes containing the treasure. The post clarifies that the treasure had been moved from the Iraqi Museum to the Central Bank for safekeeping before the fall of the regime. After US forces took control of the bank, they brought out the assets for inventory, with the Iraqi committee recording and photographing the pieces. The video offers a rare glimpse into the handling of one of Iraq’s most significant archaeological finds in the immediate aftermath of the 2003 invasion.