Iraq's digital dissidents: The fatal shooting of TikTok star Om Fahad

Iraqi TikToker Om Fahad was shot dead in front of her home in Baghdad. The attacker arrived on a motorcycle, approached her car, and opened fire. A surveillance camera recorded the whole incident.

The incident took place in the prestigious district of Zayouna in eastern Baghdad. The video shows an unidentified assailant arriving on a motorcycle. He is dressed in black and wearing a helmet. He stops, approaches a black SUV, opens the door, and shoots the woman sitting inside.

The victim of the attack is Ghufran Sawadi, an Iraqi TikTok star known as Om Fahad. According to local media reports, another woman was also injured in the attack. Iraqi authorities have launched an investigation into the matter.

According to unofficial information, the influencer's phone also disappeared.

Some commentators blame the attack on the Iran-backed Popular Mobilization Forces - a Shiite militia operating in Iraq.

Om Fahad was a popular influencer in Iraq, often posting videos of herself dancing. Islamic conservatives criticised some of her videos for the tight clothing she wore. In February 2023, she was sentenced to six months in prison. The court ruled that her videos contained "indecent words that undermine modesty and public morality."

In recent months, several influencers have been murdered in Iraq. In September, 23-year-old Noor Alsaffar, known as Noor BM, was shot dead. In February, a knife attack killed blogger Simsima, who identified as transgender.

In recent days, Iraq adopted a law under which individuals in same-sex relationships can face prison sentences of up to 15 years. Transgender individuals will also be sentenced. This represents a reversal from Baghdad's previous policy, which, in letters to international organisations, liked to highlight its liberal approach to sexuality issues compared to other countries in the region.

In Iraq, influencers are often hired not just to promote cosmetics. Some also advertise government initiatives. Last week, there was a lot of buzz about allowing one of the influencers into a military base. According to many, this was very reckless of the defence ministry.