Based on 418 Facebook posts analyzed on June 20, 2025, Miqrab AI found that the primary focus of Iraqi social media was the escalating military conflict between Iran and Israel. Pages widely reported on Iranian missile strikes targeting Israeli cities, alongside analysis of the strategic implications and the effectiveness of Israeli air defenses. A significant sub-narrative involved unconfirmed rumors of the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad evacuating its staff, a claim that was officially denied by the embassy but continued to circulate, fueling speculation about a wider regional confrontation. Domestically, statements from political figures like Muqtada al-Sadr, who condemned Israel and called for protests, and Hanan al-Fatlawi, who compared the current Iraqi government favorably to the previous regime, garnered substantial engagement and debate. Other topics included local sports news, celebrity updates, and memorials for fallen soldiers.

Today’s Top 10 Facebook Trends in Iraq:

1. Rumors of U.S. Embassy Evacuation in Baghdad

A high-impact story circulated widely on Facebook, claiming the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad was evacuating its final staff members and closing its doors, handing over security to the U.S. military. This was reported by pages like Al-Khawa Al-Nadhifa (Post Impact: 100%) and Rusly Al-Maliki (Post Impact: 8%). Adding to the narrative, Al-Khawa Al-Nadhifa (Post Impact: 23%) also shared a report from the Washington Post about the U.S. State Department seeking volunteers to receive returnees from Israel and Iraq. An Iraqi official was quoted by Al-Adhamiya News (Post Impact: 6%) warning that the embassy’s closure would be an “early warning for an unprecedented event.” However, the U.S. Embassy Baghdad (Post Impact: 12%) page issued an official statement asserting that “No change has occurred in the operational status of the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad and the Consulate General in Erbil.”

2. Iranian Missile Strikes Target Israeli Cities

Numerous pages reported on Iran launching missile attacks against Israel, with specific mentions of strikes on Haifa and Beersheba. Steven Nabil (Post Impact: 23%) shared a picture allegedly showing the moment Iranian missiles fell on Haifa, while Ali Jawad (Post Impact: 18%) posted a video claiming Iranian missiles were setting Beersheba on fire. Al-Khaleej Al-Tactical (Post Impact: 13%) identified the use of the “Shahab-3” ballistic missile in the attack on Haifa, noting it is capable of carrying nuclear warheads. The same page later analyzed that Israeli air defense interception rates had dropped to 60%, suggesting its missile stockpiles were being depleted. Pages like ‘Iraqiyeen w Bas (Post Impact: 14%) and Min Baghdad (Post Impact: 9%) also reported on large explosions and the fall of new missiles on Tel Aviv and Haifa.

3. Hanan al-Fatlawi’s Comparison of Regimes Sparks Debate

Politician Hanan al-Fatlawi’s televised comments comparing the current political system with the former Ba’athist regime generated significant discussion. Her official page, Dr. Hanan Al-Fatlawi (Post Impact: 61%), shared a video with the caption “For those who compare the previous and current systems.” In the interview, highlighted by pages like Baghdad (Post Impact: 15%) and Taraif Al-‘Alam bi ‘Uyun ‘Iraqiya (Post Impact: 9%), she argued that despite challenges, the last 20 years have seen the construction of hospitals, stadiums, and universities, and that Iraqis now enjoy greater prosperity, with many households owning 3 or 4 cars and unemployed citizens receiving state salaries. Her remarks were also featured on a talk show clip shared by Al-A’alami Qahtan Adnan (Post Impact: 60%), titled “Hanan Al-Fatlawi: Iraqis are well-fed, they shouldn’t show off on us.”

4. Muqtada al-Sadr Blames Trump and Rallies Supporters

Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr’s statements on the Iran-Israel conflict were prominently featured. Hussam Al-Haj (Post Impact: 36%) quoted Sadr as saying, “Madman Trump is behind Israel’s decision to strike the Islamic Republic,” and that the decision would bring “disaster and loss upon Trump.” In response to Sadr’s call for protests, Hakem Al-Zamili (Post Impact: 23%) posted about participating in unified Friday prayers and demonstrations to condemn “Zionist terrorism.” Similarly, the Saraya al-Salam – Central Media Directorate (Post Impact: 6%) reported on prayers and a large demonstration in Diyala province. Ahmed Al-Wishah (Post Impact: 53%) praised Sadr’s stance in support of Iran, contrasting it with what he described as the “empty slogans” and “online jihad” of other factional leaders who allegedly fled.

5. Commentators Praise Iranian Resolve Against Israel and the West

Several commentators and media pages expressed strong support for Iran and criticized Israel and Western powers. Muna Sami (Post Impact: 17%) stated, “The world is mocking Israel and praising Iran’s steadfastness… we are now seeing the truth, without the filter of Western media.” Dr. Hameed Abdullah (Post Impact: 21%) defended Iran’s missile program as essential, arguing that without it, Iran would have been defeated. Political figure Mustafa Sanad (Post Impact: 26%) suggested that courage in leadership is more critical than military budgets, implicitly praising Iran’s actions. Analyst Salem Mashkour (Post Impact: 22%) cited American journalist Seymour Hersh’s claim that the White House had approved a plan for a major attack to overthrow the Iranian regime.

6. ICTS Honors Martyr Ahmed Jassim Abbas

The Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service (Icts) (Post Impact: 87%) published a tribute to martyr Ahmed Jassim Abbas. The post described him as a young man from Baghdad, a father of two, and a sniper who joined the fight against terrorism believing that “land and honor are only protected by men.” He participated in all the liberation battles and was known for his courage and discipline. He was martyred on July 7, 2016, the first day of Eid al-Fitr, in Sharqat. The post honors his memory, stating, “He did not return to his children, but he returned as a hero in the eyes of the nation, his name immortalized in the memory of honor.”

7. Al-Shorta SC Crowned Iraqi Stars League Champions

Sports news featured prominently as Al-Shorta SC won the Iraqi Stars League title for the fourth consecutive time. Pages reported that the club secured the championship after defeating Naft Al-Basra. Former Iraqi football captain Younis Mahmoud (Post Impact: 33%) congratulated the team and its fans on the victory. The news was also shared by Al-Khawa Al-Nadhifa (Post Impact: 26%), which announced the team’s coronation as champions.

8. Earthquake Strikes Central Iran

Amid the ongoing military conflict, news also broke of a natural disaster in Iran. Steven Nabil (Post Impact: 33%) reported an earthquake with a magnitude of 5.2 in Iran. The news was also briefly reported by Khabar ‘Ajil (Post Impact: 10%), which posted an alert stating, “Earthquake strikes central Iran.”

9. Kuwaiti Actress Shujoun Al-Hajri Reportedly Arrested

A celebrity news story from neighboring Kuwait caught the attention of Iraqi social media users. Several pages reported that Kuwaiti authorities had arrested actress Shujoun Al-Hajri. According to posts by Baghdad (Post Impact: 15%) and Sha’ar Banat (Post Impact: 6%), the actress was allegedly found in possession of narcotics and psychotropic substances for the purpose of consumption.

10. Kuwaiti Actor Hussein Al-Mahdi Gets Married

On a more positive celebrity note, social media pages shared news of the marriage of Kuwaiti actor Hussein Al-Mahdi. Klicha (Post Impact: 20%) and Sha’ar Banat (Post Impact: 10%) both reported that the actor had held his marriage ceremony in Kuwait, wedding a woman from outside the entertainment industry. The posts included photos from the event, congratulating the actor.