Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al Abadi has become the subject of countless memes after his press office released a photo of him gazing at a white couch in Parliament that was damaged during recent political riots.
In the wake of Baghdad's mass protests and deadly car bombings last weekend, many Iraqis viewed officials' apparent concern over the stained sofa as a symbol of their politicians' misplaced priorities.
One Twitter user asked U.S. President Barack Obama to send a replacement couch from the White House to Iraq.
The "Iraqi Speaker of parliament [is seen] looking at damage 2sofa-hasn't been seen visiting bombing sites where lives [were] lost," wrote another.
At least 32 people were killed and 75 wounded on Sunday in two separate car bombings, adding further chaos to a weekend of anarchy in the capital. The self-described Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attacks.
Iraq's deep-rooted political turmoil and allegations of corruption led hundreds of protesters to burst into Parliament headquarters in Baghdad's Green Zone on Saturday, the day before the bombings. The initially peaceful demonstrations turned violent, and around a dozen people were injured. The possible bloodstains on the now-infamous couch seem to be evidence of that mayhem.
Many Iraqis on social media posed for photos in which they mocked al Abadi by pretending to weep over their own couches. The topic, often accompanied by the Arabic hashtag "My couch, my pride," was soon trending on Twitter.
Protesters left the Green Zone on Sunday after a full day of rioting, but vowed to return on Friday.
