Based on an analysis of 359 Facebook posts trending on July 17, 2026, Miqrab AI found that the social media landscape in Iraq was dominated by a mixture of domestic political anticipation, severe regional military escalation, and local security concerns. The most engaging content surrounded journalist Ann Salah’s upcoming political program, indicating strong interest in media commentary on Iraqi politics. Simultaneously, extensive coverage was dedicated to Prime Minister Ali al-Zaydi’s diplomatic visit to the United States and his upcoming regional tour. This was set against a tense backdrop of reports detailing direct military exchanges between Iran and the U.S. across the Middle East, alongside separate attacks within the Kurdistan Region. Domestic conversations focused on calls for accountability regarding government spending on electricity, the high cost of new e-passports, and the official introduction of Starlink internet services.

Today’s Top 10 Facebook Trends in Iraq:

1. Ann Salah Promotes New Political Show “Wahed Siyasa”

The most engaging topic on Iraqi Facebook was the promotion of journalist Ann Salah’s new political program, “Wahed Siyasa” (One Politics), set to air on Al-Dawla satellite channel. A promotional reel posted by Ann Salah – آن صلاح (Post Impact: 100%) announced the show was coming soon “with documents,” generating significant anticipation. A second post from Ann Salah – آن صلاح (Post Impact: 8%) featured a clip from the show with guest Sarmad al-Bayati discussing the fate of Iraq’s F-16 fighter jets, Abrams tanks, and Humvees, and directing a message to armed factions. The high engagement suggests a strong public appetite for investigative political journalism and commentary on national security issues.

2. PM al-Zaydi’s US Visit and Upcoming Diplomatic Tour

Prime Minister Ali al-Zaydi’s diplomatic activities were a major focus, with several pages tracking his visit to the United States. Maher Mohi::Sawt Humat al-Watan (Post Impact: 14%) shared a video of al-Zaydi at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, where he declared, “Iraq has now become a country of great opportunities,” and invited all investors to the country. Other pages like Iraqi Prime Minister’s Media Office (Post Impact: 2%) reported on his meeting with the head of the International Monetary Fund. His travel itinerary was also a point of interest, with Steven Nabil (Post Impact: 10%) reporting, based on information from the Iraqi Foreign Ministry via Rudaw, that al-Zaydi will stop in Qatar to attend a condolence service for the former Emir before traveling to Tehran and then Turkey.

3. Escalating Military Conflict Between Iran and the United States

Tensions in the region were a dominant theme, with numerous pages reporting on direct military exchanges between Iran and the U.S. Al-Khuwa al-Nadhifa (Post Impact: 7%) cited the Iranian Army, stating it targeted U.S. facilities at the Al-Udeid and Ali Al Salem bases in Kuwait, as well as the Azraq base in Jordan, with drones. The same page and others reported on US casualties. Pages also shared statements from Iranian officials threatening further action. Steven Nabil (Post Impact: 7%) and Muntadhar al-Zaidi (Post Impact: 2%) both quoted Iranian official Rezaei, who warned that if U.S. attacks continue, Iran would move from “deterrence and reciprocity” to a phase of “complete attack and destruction.”

4. Attacks on Kurdish Opposition Targets in Sulaymaniyah

A major security incident unfolded in the Kurdistan Region, with multiple pages reporting on attacks in Sulaymaniyah. Al-Khuwa al-Nadhifa (Post Impact: 10%) reported on “successive explosions” that targeted the headquarters of the Iranian Kurdish opposition, leading to the suspension of flights at Sulaymaniyah’s airport. Baghdad (Post Impact: 4%) also covered the incident, noting a munitions depot in Tasluja was targeted. Al-Adhamiya News (Post Impact: 4%) stated that Iran attacked both Erbil and Sulaymaniyah with drones and missiles, causing “great destruction.”

5. Scrutiny Over 107 Trillion Dinar Spending on Electricity

Public discourse prominently featured calls to investigate corruption in Iraq’s electricity sector. In a highly impactful video, Hayder al-Hamdani (Post Impact: 56%) highlighted that government spending on electricity has reached a staggering 107 trillion dinars. The post questioned whether Prime Minister Ali al-Zaydi would succeed in holding the “whales of corruption” accountable and opening the electricity file for investigation. The post’s high engagement reflects deep public frustration with the persistent lack of reliable electricity despite massive government expenditures over the years.

6. Starlink Officially Licensed to Provide Internet in Iraq

There was positive news in the technology sector as pages announced that Starlink has officially received its license to operate in Iraq. Hussein – IMADTech (Post Impact: 13%) celebrated the news, calling it a “very, very, very, very successful step” and noting that subscription prices should become available soon on Starlink’s website. Technology and Communications (Post Impact: 1%) confirmed the development, reporting that the license was signed by Baligh Abu Gillal of the Communications and Media Commission in a ceremony attended by PM Ali al-Zaydi at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

7. Commemorations for Fallen ICTS Soldiers

Iraqi security forces’ sacrifices were honored in several widely shared posts. The Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service Icts (Post Impact: 11%) paid tribute to Martyr Aqil Ali Nasser Hussein al-Hantoushi, who was killed during the battle to liberate old Mosul on July 10, 2017. The post described him as an example of courage who participated in all liberation battles. In a separate post, Maher Mohi::Sawt Humat al-Watan (Post Impact: 9%) announced the martyrdom of another ICTS member, Maher Hatem al-Okaidi, who died in an “unfortunate accident while on duty.”

8. High Cost of New Electronic Passports Questioned

The cost of the new electronic passport became a topic of public debate and parliamentary scrutiny. Maraya (Post Impact: 8%) reported that MP Mohammed Kazem al-Mutairi has opened a file on the issue, questioning why citizens are charged 91,000 dinars when he claims the actual cost does not exceed 10,000 dinars. Al-Mutairi also questioned why the passport issuance was assigned to a private investor, arguing that the Ministry of Interior is capable of managing the process itself. Following this, Iraqi News Center (Post Impact: 3%) reported that the fee would be cancelled and the new cost would be 10,000 dinars.

9. Cleric Sadr al-Din al-Qubanchi’s Pro-Iran Statement Draws Fire

A statement by Najaf Friday preacher Sadr al-Din al-Qubanchi declaring a shared destiny with Iran sparked controversy online. Khabar Ajel (Post Impact: 2%) and Taraef al-Alam bi-Uyun Iraqiya (Post Impact: 1%) both quoted al-Qubanchi as saying, “We are with the Islamic Republic, one destiny… and there is no good in life after them.” The sharing of this quote by news and commentary pages indicates it was viewed as a significant and contentious declaration regarding Iraq’s relationship with its neighbor and the influence of Iranian-aligned figures within the country.

10. Writers Express Anti-Iranian Influence Sentiments

A counter-narrative to pro-Iranian sentiment was also present, articulated by writers and commentators. The page Taraef al-Alam bi-Uyun Iraqiya (Post Impact: 4%) quoted writer Rusly al-Maliki expressing a provocative wish: “I hope that a statue of Khamenei will be established in Baghdad, so that we can celebrate its pulling down and toppling in the streets as happened with the statue of Saddam!” A post on Rusly Al-Maliki‘s own page (Post Impact: 3%) elaborated on this, stating such a moment would be a historic symbol and a testament to the “treason of the traitors” who promote a foreign leader in Iraq.