Iraqi model Tara Fares shot dead in Baghdad after threats

BAGHDAD

An Iraqi model and social media influencer has been shot dead by unknown attackers in Baghdad after receiving threats.

Tara Fares, a prominent former beauty queen with nearly three million followers on Instagram, was killed after gunmen opened fire on her on Sept. 27 in the city's Kam Sara neighbourhood.

The Iraqi Ministry of the Interior announced it had opened an investigation into the model's death, according to local media reports.

Ms Fares' body was taken to Baghdad's Sheik Zaid hospital at 5:45 am local time. Doctors told local media she had died after suffering three bullet wounds.

The 22-year-old lived in Erbil, the capital of the semi-autonomous Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), but regularly visited Baghdad.

Fans began posting across social media after her death was confirmed, with many celebrating her outspokenness in a country that can still have conservative attitudes towards women.

"Tara’s death screams discrimination, lack of freedom and rights" wrote one fan. "Sympathy is not enough."

It is unclear who killed Ms Fares, who had received death threats from supporters of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

Her death comes just days after the killing of Suad al-ali, an Iraqi human rights activist who was shot and killed in her car in the southern city of Basra.