Iraqi tiktoker Om Fahad shot dead in Baghdad

Om Fahad, a social media influencer from Iraq, was fatally shot outside her residence in Baghdad, local media reports.

On Friday, the assault took place in the eastern Zayne neighborhood of the capital.

The Iraqi interior ministry released a statement confirming the killing of a "woman known on social networking sites" by "unknown assailants.".

Additionally, the statement mentioned that a "specialized work team" had been established to investigate the circumstances surrounding her death.

Fahad, whose real name is Ghufran Sawadi, was reportedly shot in her car by a lone person with a gun riding a motorbike.

Meanwhile, the US-owned Al Hurra news agency reported that another woman was injured in the attack.

Fahad gained popularity on TikTok for posting videos of herself dancing to pop music in form-fitting attire, amassing tens of thousands of followers in the process.

Last year, she received a six-month prison sentence for sharing videos deemed by the court to undermine "modesty and public morality."

This occurred following the establishment of a government committee tasked with monitoring social media platforms for content deemed offensive and taking punitive actions against those responsible.

The independent Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor expressed deep concern at the time, stating, "Iraqi authorities‍‍` detention and conviction of several social media content creators on vague charges that do not justify the restriction of natural rights is extremely concerning."

Recently, tensions between Fahad and fellow influencer Dalia Naeem have intensified, leading to a feud.

Media reports suggest that Naeem, nicknamed "Iraqi Barbie" for her extensive plastic surgery, had been threatening to reveal Fahad‍‍`s purported relationship with senior Iraqi officials.