KATHMANDU: Reports from local media sources indicate that Iraqi social media personality Om Fahad was fatally shot outside her residence in Baghdad's Zayne neighborhood. The incident occurred on Friday, with Iraq's interior ministry confirming the death of a "woman known on social networking sites" by "unknown assailants." A specialized team has been assigned to investigate the circumstances surrounding her killing.
Identified as Ghufran Sawadi, Fahad was allegedly shot in her vehicle by an individual riding a motorcycle. According to an Iraqi security source, the assailant seemingly posed as a food delivery person. Another woman was reportedly injured in the attack, as per reports from the US-owned Al Hurra news agency.
Fahad gained popularity on TikTok for her videos featuring dancing to pop music in attire that accentuated her figure, amassing a substantial following. However, she faced legal repercussions last year, receiving a six-month prison sentence for sharing videos deemed to undermine "modesty and public morality." This verdict coincided with the establishment of a governmental committee tasked with monitoring social media content and penalizing offenders.
Additionally, Fahad's conflict with fellow influencer Dalia Naeem, also known as "Iraqi Barbie" due to extensive plastic surgery, has intensified. Reports suggest that Naeem had threatened to expose Fahad's alleged involvement with senior Iraqi officials. These developments underscore concerns over freedom of expression and the use of social media in Iraq.
