Iraqi TikTok sensation Om Fahad met a tragic end when she was fatally shot in a late-night attack outside her residence in Baghdad. The assailant, yet to be identified, approached her vehicle and opened fire, leading to her untimely demise. Speculations suggest possible involvement of Iranian militias, although investigations are underway by authorities.
The incident occurred in the Zoyouna district of eastern Baghdad, where Om Fahad resided. According to reports from Al Jazeera, the TikTok star was targeted by an unknown assailant, captured on CCTV footage circulating on social media platforms. The footage depicts a person, clad in dark attire and a helmet, disembarking from a motorcycle and proceeding towards Om Fahad’s black SUV. Tragically, she was shot while seated inside her vehicle.
There are allegations attributing Om Fahad’s assassination to Iranian militias associated with the Hashd Al Shaabi (PMF). However, the Associated Press reveals ongoing investigations conducted by Iraqi authorities into the grim incident. Sources indicate that the attacker may have posed as a food delivery person before carrying out the fatal attack. Following the shooting, the assailant reportedly fled the scene after seizing Om Fahad’s phone.
Om Fahad, also known as Ghufran Mahdi Sawadi, garnered fame on TikTok with her dance videos, amassing nearly half a million followers. However, her rise to fame was marred by controversy when she faced legal repercussions for content deemed to contravene public morality. Notably, she was sentenced to six months in prison last year for her videos’ alleged indecency, amidst the Iraqi government’s crackdown on social media content deemed offensive to traditional values.
Tragically, Om Fahad’s demise echoes the fate of another social media personality, Noor Alsaffar, also known as “Noor BM,” who was similarly gunned down in central Baghdad last year. The loss of these influential figures underscores the risks faced by social media personalities in conflict-ridden regions like Baghdad, leaving behind a void in the online community.