5 Interesting Facts About the Late Iraqi TikTok Star Om Fahad Shot Dead Outside Her Home

Om Fahad, also known as Ghufran Sawadi, resided in the Zoyouna district in eastern Baghdad where she was tragically killed. Security footage from the scene of the attack shows the assailant arriving on a motorcycle and approaching the residence of the content creator.

Once there, the attacker, dressed in dark clothing and a helmet, opened the door of Om Fahad’s black SUV and fired several shots at her, resulting in her untimely death. Om Fahad, a prominent TikTok personality, had garnered a substantial following of nearly half a million individuals, with certain videos amassing over a million views.

However, her content was subject to scrutiny by the court for containing what was deemed as “indecent speech that undermines modesty and public morality,” despite not exceeding her rights to freedom of opinion, expression, or publication. The Iraqi Interior Ministry took action in January 2023 by forming a committee to identify and address “inappropriate and offensive content” shared by influencers like Om Fahad, aiming to protect “morals and family values” in Iraqi society.

Tens of thousands of reports were received following the public’s engagement with the platform, leading to enforced apologies and the removal of specific content by numerous online creators as a result of the ministry’s crackdown. Tragically, Om Fahad’s murder is not an isolated incident, as it follows the killing of another TikTok influencer, Noor Alsaffar, nearly a year prior.

The rising crackdown on online freedom has resulted in a concerning trend of violence against Iraqi influencers.