Iraqi authorities are investigating the killing of social media influencer Ghufran Mahdi Sawadi, known as “Um Fahad,” who was shot by an armed motorcyclist in front of her home in central Baghdad. Sawadi, popular on TikTok and Instagram, was followed by tens of thousands of users. The assailant opened fire as she parked her Cadillac, killing her and fleeing the scene with her phone. The killing took place in Zayoona, the same neighborhood where a prominent Iraqi researcher was gunned down in 2020.
Sawadi is not the first social media figure to be killed in central Baghdad, as last year, Noor Alsaffar or “Noor BM,” also with a large following, was fatally shot in the city. A neighbor who witnessed the incident said he heard two shots fired, and when he went outside, Sawadi was lying on the steering wheel of her car. The area was sealed off by security forces, and Sawadi’s body was taken away. In Iraq, social media influencers now play a role in promoting government projects and programs, and are considered key figures at official gatherings.
Videos featuring a prominent influencer at a recent military event sparked backlash, with criticism directed at the Ministry of Defense for allowing such recordings from sensitive military sites. The ministry defended its use of influencers as a communication strategy with the public. Last year, Sawadi was sentenced to prison for posting obscene content on social media, part of the government’s efforts to enforce moral standards. In addition, the Iraqi parliament passed an amendment to the prostitution law, criminalizing same-sex relations with prison terms of 10 to 15 years.
The amended law also bans organizations promoting “sexual deviancy,” imposing severe penalties. The parliamentary speaker described the move as necessary to protect societal values and children from moral depravity. Human Rights Watch condemned the law, stating it violates fundamental human rights such as freedom of expression and equality. The organization’s report accused armed groups in Iraq of perpetrating violence against LGBT individuals with impunity, while the government failed to hold perpetrators accountable.
The passage of the law reflects Iraq’s record of rights violations against LGBT individuals. The enactment of severe penalties for same-sex relations and the promotion of LGBTQ rights highlights the challenges faced by marginalized communities in the country. The government’s increased monitoring of social media content and regulation of morality laws raise concerns about freedom of expression and individual rights in Iraq. The targeting of social media influencers and the LGBTQ community underscores the ongoing struggle for human rights and equality in the country.
