Iraqi model shot dead in Baghdad, in the latest murder of women

An Iraqi social media star became the latest woman victim of a spate of murders across the country this week by unknown gunmen.

Tara Fares was shot dead in her car in the capital Baghdad on Thursday, just a day after she was voted one of Iraq's most popular social media stars.

She was murdered by unknown gunmen in the Kam Sara neighbourhood of Baghdad, with the ministry of interior saying they are investigating the killing

The model and journalist had a huge following on Istagram, with over 2 million followers.

— Steven nabil (@thestevennabil) September 27, 2018" style="color:#fff;" class="twitter-post-link" target="_blank">Twitter Post Famous Iraqi social media character /model Tara Faris was gunned down in Baghdad earlier today. pic.twitter.com/a4A0TjHhvw — Steven nabil (@thestevennabil) September 27, 2018

Her final post on the social media platform displayed a black-and-white photo of Fares with a message mourning her passing.

Fans and friends of Fares turned to social media to remember the social media star, who spent much of her time abroad, and in the more liberal Kurdistan region of Iraq.

Recently, Fares reportedly began to spend more time in the Iraqi capital where she met her demise.

"Really shocked at the tragic murder of Iraqi  model Tara Fares. I knew her through a friend. Tara began her journey when she competed in Miss Baghdad contest in 2014," wrote one person on Twitter. 

"Iraqi model and blogger Tara Fares was shot in killed in Baghdad today, RIP," an Iraqi radio station tweeted.

Two women involved in the beauty industry have also been reportedly murdered in Iraq in recent months.

This week, a prominent women's right activist, Soad al-Ali, was shot dead in in her car in Basra.

Despite the military defeat of the Islamic State group, other militias still continue to dominate much of the country, some of whom strongly oppose liberal elements within Iraqi society.