In a tragic incident in Baghdad, Ghufran Sawadi, an Iraqi social media personality better known as Umm Fahad, was fatally shot outside her home on Friday night. The attack occurred in the Zayouna area, east of Baghdad, and was captured on surveillance video, which was later circulated on social media. A police source in Baghdad confirmed the authenticity of the distressing footage, which showed a gunman on a motorcycle firing at Sawadi, leading to her immediate death.
Following the incident, Iraq’s Interior Minister announced the formation of a specialized team to investigate the murder, which involved unknown assailants. Sawadi was a prominent figure on TikTok, known for her dance videos set to pop music, often dressed in form-fitting attire. However, her content had previously been met with controversy in Iraq. She was once sentenced to six months in prison by the Iraqi judiciary for “producing and publishing films and videos containing obscene and indecent language, violating public decency and morals,” according to a statement from the judiciary.
The murder of Sawadi is part of a disturbing trend of violence against social media influencers in the country. In a similar case, Noor Alsaffar, another well-known Iraqi TikToker, was shot dead in Baghdad in September 2023. Alsaffar, known as Noor BM, was popular for her posts related to fashion, hair, and makeup, and had a significant following on Instagram and TikTok.
These incidents have occurred amidst a broader crackdown on LGBTQ expression in Iraq, with recent legislative efforts aimed at criminalizing LGBTQ-related activities. The killings have sparked a mix of reactions on social media, with many expressing sorrow over the loss of these young lives, while others have disturbingly praised the attackers. This series of violent acts highlights the increasing dangers faced by social media figures in Iraq and raises serious concerns about freedom of expression and personal safety in the region.
