Based on an analysis of 412 Facebook posts on January 23, 2025, by Miqrab AI, the primary narratives circulating in Iraq are dominated by the major religious pilgrimage to the Kadhimiya shrine, which is driving the highest engagement across the platform. This is followed by significant political developments, including a high-impact statement from Muqtada al-Sadr calling for the release of detainees and an escalating public feud involving Member of Parliament Mustafa Sanad. Security concerns also feature prominently, with discussions centering on a recent attack in Tarmiyah, claims of associated disinformation, and reports of successful law enforcement operations in Diyala and Baghdad. Concurrently, posts from Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani’s office highlight government efforts to address key service issues like electricity and foster economic cooperation.

Today’s Top 10 Facebook Trends in Iraq:

1. Pilgrimage to Commemorate Martyrdom of Imam al-Kadhim

The religious pilgrimage to Kadhimiya to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Musa al-Kadhim is the most dominant topic on Facebook, with numerous high-engagement posts sharing prayers, videos, and updates. Pages like Aziz Nasser – Aziz Nasser (Post Impact: 100%) and Mohammad Nasser Khalif (Post Impact: 66%) shared videos and prayers for the safety of the pilgrims. News page Khabar Ajel (Post Impact: 18%) posted footage showing crowds of pilgrims marching along Palestine Street in Baghdad. Other pages, including Saraya al-Salam – Central Media Directorate (Post Impact: 9%) and Maher Mouhi::The Voice of the Nation’s Protectors (Post Impact: 5%), highlighted their roles in serving and securing the visitors, emphasizing that “serving the family of the Prophet is an honor for us.”

2. Muqtada al-Sadr Calls for Release of Detainees

A statement posted by cleric Muqtada al-Sadr on the “X” platform has generated significant discussion. The Private Office of His Eminence Sayyid Muqtada al-Sadr (Post Impact: 60%) shared the message, which concluded with the phrase “#Just_that.” News page Khabar Ajel (Post Impact: 5%) interpreted the post as a demand for the release of “innocent resistance detainees.” The posts indicate a major political move by al-Sadr, drawing widespread attention from his followers and political observers online.

3. MP Mustafa Sanad at Center of Political and Legal Disputes

Member of Parliament Mustafa Sanad is a central figure in multiple highly engaged political narratives. In one post, Mustafa Sanad (Post Impact: 30%) made sharp accusations against politician Khamis al-Khanjar. In another widely shared post, Sanad (Post Impact: 26%) claimed that the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) had received “zero dinars” for its 2024 investment budget, questioning if this was related to the US Embassy’s dissatisfaction with the PMF’s budget increase. Adding to the controversy, Al-Adhamiya News (Post Impact: 15%) reported that Safaa al-Mashhadani, a member of the Baghdad Provincial Council, has filed a lawsuit against Sanad.

4. Security and Disinformation Narratives Surround Tarmiyah Attack

An attack in the Tarmiyah area north of Baghdad has become a focal point for security updates and accusations of disinformation. The page Tech 4 Peace (Post Impact: 22%) initially reported that ISIS had not claimed the attack in its official channels but later updated its post to state that ISIS, through its Amaq agency, had claimed responsibility for an ambush that killed and injured 13 Iraqi forces personnel. Meanwhile, other pages like Iraqeen W Bas (Post Impact: 11%) and Support for Iraqi Security Forces (Post Impact: 10%) alleged that a widely circulated video purporting to show the incident was “very old” and was being spread as “fake news for miserable electoral gains,” citing a confirmation from the Security Media Cell.

5. PM Sudani Focuses on Electricity and Economic Cooperation

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani’s official activities are a recurring theme, with a focus on governance and the economy. His official page, Al-Mohandes Mohamed Shia Al-Sudani (Post Impact: 19%), reported on a meeting he chaired to follow up on the electricity sector’s transport and distribution plan for the upcoming summer. During the meeting, he directed that companies failing to execute projects on time could have their contracts terminated. The Iraqi Prime Minister’s Media Office (Post Impact: 4%) also covered the meeting. Additionally, Al-Sudani’s page (Post Impact: 16%) shared details of his meeting with Fahad bin Mohammed Al-Turki, the new head of the Arab Monetary Fund, where they discussed enhancing cooperation and the fund’s potential role in Iraq’s development.

6. Security Forces Rescue Kidnapped Man in Diyala

A successful security operation in Diyala province is being highlighted online. Iraq 24 (Post Impact: 14%) announced that the Diyala Police Commander, Major General Mohammed Kazim Atiya, confirmed the rescue of a kidnapped individual named Ayad Saeed al-Jubouri and the recovery of stolen money and gold within 24 hours. The Media Office of the Minister of Interior (Post Impact: 3%) issued a statement detailing that the operation was a joint effort involving Diyala police, the Federal Intelligence and Investigations Agency, and the PMF. Iraq 24 (Post Impact: 6%) also shared a video showing the moment the rescued man was reunited with his family.

7. Arrests in Al-Adhamiya Following Sectarian Chants

Law enforcement action in the Al-Adhamiya district of Baghdad is being reported by news pages. Al-Adhamiya News (Post Impact: 14%) and Yalla (Post Impact: 4%) both reported that a force from the Ministry of Interior arrested five individuals in the area. According to a statement from the ministry, the accused were detained for “chanting sectarian slogans, rioting, incitement, and assaulting” security personnel who were deployed to maintain order.

8. Bizarre Escape of Detainee in Wasit Circulates Online

An unusual story about a prisoner’s escape in Wasit province is gaining traction. The account by Ammar Al-Hilfi (Post Impact: 13%) describes how a detainee named Abbas, accused of serious crimes, was being transferred to another prison when he invited the security officers escorting him to lunch at a restaurant in Kut. According to the post, Abbas went to wash his hands after the meal and never returned, leaving the officers with the bill. The page Latest Iraqi Events (Post Impact: 5%) shared a similar narrative about the incident, questioning whether the fault lay with the security personnel or the cleverness of the escapee.

9. Conflicting Reports on Israeli Hostage Elizabeth Tsurkov

There are conflicting reports circulating regarding the status of Elizabeth Tsurkov, an Israeli-Russian academic held hostage in Iraq. The page Al-Khuwa Al-Nathifa (Post Impact: 12%) reported an official statement from Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein confirming that Tsurkov is still alive. However, this was contradicted by a post from Steven Nabil (Post Impact: 3%), which stated that the Foreign Ministry later denied that the minister had made such a statement. This discrepancy indicates an ongoing and sensitive issue with unclear official communication.

10. Officials Commemorate Iraqi Judiciary Day

Several officials and pages marked “Iraqi Judiciary Day” with statements of congratulations and support for the country’s judicial system. The page Iraqeen W Bas (Post Impact: 8%) shared a message from the head of the Supreme Judicial Council congratulating judges and staff. Former Prime Minister Ayad Allawi (Post Impact: 3%) also issued a statement, describing Iraq’s judges as “the safety valve and protectors of rights.” Additionally, the page of the Speaker of Parliament, Dr. Mahmoud Al-Mashhadani (Post Impact: 4%), reported on his meeting with the President of the Supreme Federal Court, Judge Jassim Al-Amiri, to mark the occasion and discuss legal matters related to parliamentary sessions.