Iraqi TikTok star Umm Fahad shot dead in Baghdad (Video)
Iraqi social media star Ghufran Sawadi, also known as Umm Fahad, was shot and killed outside her Baghdad home on Friday night, as confirmed by a Baghdad police source.
The incident occurred in Baghdad's Zayouna area and was captured on video by a surveillance camera, which was then shared on social media. The video depicts a gunman riding a motorcycle and fatally shooting Sawadi on the spot. A Baghdad police source verified the video's authenticity.
The country's Interior Minister announced on Friday the formation of a specialized team to investigate the circumstances surrounding the killing by unknown assailants.
Sawadi gained popularity on TikTok for sharing videos of herself dancing to pop music in form-fitting attire. Previously, these videos had been deemed inappropriate by Iraq's judiciary, resulting in Sawadi receiving a six-month prison sentence for "producing and publishing films and videos containing obscene and indecent language, violating public decency and morals," as stated in an Iraqi judiciary statement.
This tragic event is not unique, as other Iraqi social media personalities have also been targeted in fatal attacks. One recent case involved Noor Alsaffar, known as Noor BM, a popular Iraqi TikTok personality who was shot dead in Baghdad in September 2023, according to an Iraqi security source.
Alsaffar, with over 370,000 followers on Instagram and TikTok, posted short videos related to fashion, hair, makeup, and often danced to music.
Following news of Alsaffar's death, many expressed sorrow, while some individuals applauded the act, celebrating the shooter.
Alsaffar's killing coincided with Iraq's crackdown on LGBTQ expression and efforts to criminalize such expression under the law.
Umm Fahad garnered tens of thousands of followers on TikTok for sharing videos of herself dancing in tight-fitted clothing to Iraqi and pop music. In February 2023, she received a six-month prison sentence for "undermining modesty and public morality," according to court records.
Footage of her assassination quickly circulated on social media platforms.
In March, Iraq's communications minister announced intentions to ban TikTok, citing its role in "dismantling the Iraqi social fabric." The app has faced criticism from segments of Iraq's conservative population, who accuse it of negatively impacting the country's youth and social norms.
Women in conservative Iraq often face threats and violence due to sectarian religious conflicts, cultural traditions, and even legal frameworks. Those with a significant social media presence are frequently targeted for allegedly harming societal "honor," with little accountability for the perpetrators of such crimes.
In 2018, prominent Iraqi model and influencer Tara Fares was fatally shot in Baghdad during a series of targeted attacks against women in the country.
Comments