An Iraqi TikTok star, known as Om Fahad to her followers, was tragically shot and killed in a late-night attack outside her home in Baghdad, according to authorities. The incident occurred on Friday night when a lone assailant on a motorbike approached Fahad, whose legal name is Ghufran Sawadi, as she sat in a black SUV. Security camera footage aired on Iraqi TV showed the assailant firing shots inside the car before fleeing the scene. No arrests have been made thus far, but Iraq's Interior Ministry has formed a team to investigate the killing.

Fahad gained popularity on TikTok, amassing nearly half a million followers by sharing videos of herself dancing to Iraqi music and showcasing her daily life. However, her fame on the social media platform drew attention from the Iraqi government. Last year, the government launched a campaign to remove social media content that it deemed to violate "morals and traditions." As part of this initiative, a committee was established to monitor platforms and an online platform called Balgh was created for users to report offensive content.

Fahad was one of six Iraqi content creators who faced legal consequences for "offending morals and public decency." Some of these creators received prison sentences ranging from six months to two years, while investigations were opened into eight others. These actions by the government forced many content creators to apologize and take down their content.

Tragically, this is not the first time a popular social media content creator in Iraq has been killed. In 2018, Tara Fares, a model and Instagram creator with over 2 million followers, was shot dead in her car in broad daylight in Baghdad. No arrests were made in her case, and the Interior Minister at the time accused "extreme outlaw groups" of being responsible for her murder.

Iraq's constitution guarantees freedom of expression and the press, but it also prohibits speech that violates public order and morals. TikTok has become one of the most popular social media platforms in Iraq, with approximately 32 million users, according to the Iraqi Digital Media Center. However, the platform has faced criticism from officials who claim it contributes to the "disintegration of the Iraqi social fabric." In March, the Communications Ministry even requested for TikTok to be banned.

As the investigation into Om Fahad's tragic killing continues, her followers and the wider TikTok community mourn the loss of a talented content creator. The incident raises concerns about the safety and freedom of expression for social media influencers in Iraq and the need for a balance between individual creativity and societal values.