Based on an analysis of 518 Facebook posts by Miqrab AI on July 16, 2025, the dominant narratives in Iraq revolve around significant political and security developments. The most engaged-with topics include fierce parliamentary debates over the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) law, which sparked accusations of foreign interference and a boycott from the Taqaddum bloc. Regionally, extensive coverage was given to Israeli airstrikes on Damascus, prompting widespread condemnation from Iraqi political figures. Domestically, discussions around the controversial Khor Abdullah maritime agreement with Kuwait were prominent, alongside breaking news of a devastating hypermarket fire in Kut that trapped families and resulted in casualties. Other key stories include the celebratory opening of Mosul’s international airport, drone attacks targeting oil fields in the Kurdistan region, and a viral incident of an escaped lion in Baghdad.

Today’s Top 10 Facebook Trends in Iraq:

1. Controversy Over PMF Law and US Embassy Interference

A heated debate has erupted in the Iraqi parliament over a proposed law concerning the structure of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), also known as Hashd al-Shaabi. MP Mustafa Sanad – Mustafa Sanad (Post Impact: 37%) shared a video of his parliamentary intervention, criticizing what he termed “blatant interference by the U.S. Embassy” in the legislation. In contrast, MP Mohammed Nuri Aziz (Post Impact: 14%) posted a supportive video with the hashtag #حشدنا_حسيني (Our Hashd is Husseini), praising the PMF’s sacrifices and questioning those who oppose granting them their rights. The controversy also led the Taqaddum bloc to boycott parliamentary sessions, as reported by Steven Nabil (Post Impact: 2%), who stated the boycott was due to the law being added to the agenda at the last minute. Furthermore, Nouri AlMaliki (Post Impact: 3%) highlighted the importance of passing the law during his meeting with the UK ambassador.

2. Israeli Airstrikes Target Sensitive Sites in Damascus

Iraqi pages extensively covered reports of intense Israeli airstrikes on Syria. Al-Khawa al-Nathifa (Post Impact: 39%) reported on “violent Israeli raids on Damascus targeting sensitive sites including the Presidential Palace, the General Staff headquarters, and the Ministry of Defense.” The strikes prompted reactions from various Iraqi figures, including politician Khamis al-Khanjar (Post Impact: 2%), who condemned the “blatant aggression” and called for a unified Arab and Islamic position to support Syria. MP Mustafa Sanad (Post Impact: 15%) posted a sarcastic comment suggesting an Iraqi militia response. Following the attacks, pages such as Ninawa (Post Impact: 2%) and Al-Khalia al-Tactikia (The Tactical Cell) (Post Impact: 3%) shared reports of the Syrian army withdrawing from the Suwayda region.

3. Renewed Debate Over Khor Abdullah Maritime Agreement

The contentious Khor Abdullah agreement, which delineates the maritime border between Iraq and Kuwait, resurfaced as a major topic of discussion. Independent MP Mustafa Sanad – Mustafa Sanad (Post Impact: 41%) posted a lengthy video titled “The story of Khor Abdullah, from A to Z,” indicating a detailed exposé on the history and implications of the agreement for Iraq. The conversation was amplified by journalist Hussam al-Haj (Post Impact: 8%), who shared a live broadcast featuring former Minister of Transport Amer Abdul Jabbar. In the video, Abdul Jabbar uses maps to present “important details” and counter claims made by MP Basem Khashan, suggesting an ongoing and complex political and technical debate over Iraq’s maritime rights.

4. Karbala Investor Threatens to Burn 4 Billion Dinars

A viral video posted by journalist Haider al-Hamdani (Post Impact: 100%) shows an investor in Karbala threatening to publicly burn 4 billion Iraqi dinars. The post describes this as a “dangerous precedent.” The investor’s dramatic protest is reportedly a response to being “fought by the government,” highlighting a severe dispute between the businessman and local or national authorities. This single, high-impact post has drawn significant attention to the challenges and frustrations faced by investors in the country.

5. Major Fire Engulfs Hypermarket in Kut, Trapping Families

A large fire broke out at a hypermarket in the city of Kut, leading to a major emergency response and widespread social media coverage. Journalist Steven Nabil (Post Impact: 13%) reported that families were trapped on the roof of the building as civil defense teams worked for hours to rescue them. Other pages like Iraq (Post Impact: 2%) and Nafs al-Iraq (Post Impact: 2%) specified that the building consisted of five floors and that many people were reported missing. The tragedy was compounded by news from Iraq 24 (Post Impact: 2%), which announced the death of a pharmacist named Mohammed Adnan as a result of the blaze.

6. Mosul International Airport Officially Opens After Years

The city of Mosul celebrated the long-awaited opening of its international airport, which was destroyed during the war with ISIS. Page Iraqeen W Bas (Post Impact: 5%) announced that Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani had inaugurated the airport, declaring that “Nineveh’s air gateway to the world is open, and the dream of its people has come true.” The satirical page Set Ashwaq umm al-Qanouniya (Post Impact: 12%) also celebrated the news, congratulating the people of Mosul and sharing nostalgic memories of the city. The Prime Minister’s official page, Al-Mohandes Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani (Post Impact: 3%), confirmed his visit to Nineveh, where he met with tribal elders to discuss the government’s development program for the province.

7. Muqtada al-Sadr Links Love for Iraq to Love for Imam Hussein

Prominent Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr issued a statement connecting national identity with religious devotion ahead of the month of Muharram. His official page, The Private Office of Sayyid Muqtada al-Sadr (Post Impact: 7%), reported that after reviewing the locations for Husseini mourning councils across Iraq, al-Sadr commented, “Whoever loves Iraq, loves Hussein.” This concise but powerful statement was quickly shared by his supporters and political allies, including former Parliament Speaker Hakem al-Zamili (Post Impact: 4%), who posted the quote, emphasizing its significance for the Sadrist movement’s followers.

8. Drone Attacks Disrupt Oil Production in Kurdistan

Several Iraqi Facebook pages reported on a series of drone attacks targeting oil infrastructure in northern Iraq. Al-Khawa al-Nathifa (Post Impact: 4%) posted about a drone falling near the Bai Hassan oil field in Kirkuk, noting that it coincided with similar attacks on fields in Zakho and Dohuk. The economic consequences of these attacks became clear when the same page later reported that the company “Apicorp” had announced a temporary suspension of oil production in Kurdistan’s fields due to the repeated assaults. The page Set Ashwaq umm al-Qanouniya (Post Impact: 9%) questioned who was behind the strikes, expressing concern by stating, “Iraq only has its oil.”

9. Escaped Pet Lion Kills Sheep in Baghdad Neighborhood

A bizarre incident in Baghdad involving an escaped lion captured the attention of social media users. Ammar al-Hilfi (Post Impact: 2%) posted a video showing the lion attacking and killing a sheep, asking, “Who are these people raising lions?” Pages like Akher al-Ahdath al-Iraqiya (Post Impact: 1%) and Khabar Ajel (Post Impact: 1%) provided more details, identifying the location as the al-Nuairiya area and reporting that security forces had arrested the lion’s owner for endangering the public. The incident sparked a conversation about the trend of keeping dangerous exotic animals as pets in residential areas.

10. Interior Ministry Mandates App for Police College Applications

The Iraqi Ministry of Interior announced a new digital-only process for applications to its various police training institutions. Both Directorate of Crime Control in Baghdad (Post Impact: 2%) and Maher Mouhi::The Voice of the Nation’s Protectors (Post Impact: 2%) shared the official notice. According to the announcement, applications for the Police College in Baghdad and Basra, the Higher Institute for Security and Administrative Development, and the Police Commissioners’ Preparation Institute must be submitted exclusively through the ministry’s “Ain al-Iraq” mobile application. The ministry stressed that applications must be completed by the candidates themselves to be considered valid.