On Friday, a social media influencer, Fahad (whose real name is Ghufran Sawadi), was fatally shot in her car by an unknown assailant in the Zayne neighborhood of Baghdad.
The interior ministry confirmed the incident and announced the formation of a specialized team to investigate the circumstances surrounding her death. According to reports, the attacker, who was riding a motorbike and pretending to be making a food delivery, shot Fahad and injured another woman.
Om Fahad (Credits: New York Post)
Fahad gained a large following on TikTok for her dance videos, but her online presence also led to controversy. She was sentenced to six months in prison last year for sharing content deemed to undermine “modesty and public morality.”
This was part of a broader crackdown on social media content by the Iraqi authorities, which has raised concerns among human rights groups.
Om Fahid (Credits: Hindustan Times)
In recent weeks, Fahad had been involved in a public feud with fellow influencer Dalia Naeem, also known as “Iraqi Barbie.” Naeem had threatened to expose Fahad’s alleged relationships with senior Iraqi officials, according to media reports.
The exact motives behind the attack are still unknown, but it has sparked concerns about the safety of social media influencers and the ongoing restrictions on online content in Iraq.
