Iraqi social media personality Ghufran Sawadi, known as Umm Fahad, was fatally shot outside her home in Baghdad on Friday night, according to a Baghdad police source who spoke with CNN.
The incident occurred in the Zayouna area east of Baghdad and was captured by a surveillance camera.
The footage, which has circulated on social media, shows a gunman on a motorcycle shooting Sawadi before fleeing. A Baghdad police source confirmed the authenticity of the video to CNN.
Iraq’s Interior Minister announced the formation of a specialized team to investigate the circumstances of Sawadi’s killing by unknown assailants.
Sawadi gained popularity on TikTok for her videos featuring dance performances to pop music in revealing attire, a style that previously led to legal issues in Iraq.
She had been sentenced to six months in prison for producing and sharing videos deemed indecent and violating public morals, according to Iraqi judicial statements.
This tragic incident follows a pattern of violence against Iraqi social media figures.
Noor Alsaffar, another well-known TikTok personality, was fatally shot in Baghdad in September 2023.
Alsaffar, who had a substantial following on Instagram and TikTok, posted content related to fashion, beauty, and music.
Following Alsaffar’s death, reactions were mixed, with some mourning the loss while others openly supported the perpetrator.
Her killing occurred amid increased restrictions on LGBTQ expression in Iraq, reflecting broader societal challenges in the region.
