Middle East03 March, 20262 min read
Unidentified Gunmen Assassinate Yanar Mohammed Outside Her Baghdad Home
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Shot and killed by unidentified gunmen on a motorcycle outside her home in northern Baghdad Co-founder of the Organization of Women's Freedom in Iraq
12 outlets told this the same way.
Shooting of Yanar Mohammed
On 2 March 2026, prominent Iraqi women's rights activist Yanar Mohammed was shot dead outside her home in northern Baghdad. Two unidentified gunmen on motorcycles opened fire at her residence, and she was taken to hospital where she later died. Multiple reports place the attack on Monday morning at about 9 a.m.
“On 2 March 2026, the 66‑year‑old co‑founder and director of the Organisation of Women’s Freedom in Iraq (OWFI) was shot outside her home in northern Baghdad and later died; Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al‑Sudani ordered an investigation the same day.”
Accounts conflict about the attackers: some witnesses or her organization said two men on a motorcycle fired, while others described two armed men on motorcycles. Some sources give her age as 66 while others list her as 65, reflecting a discrepancy in reporting.
Mohammed's activism profile
Mohammed was a long-time feminist and is described as the co-founder, president or director of the Organisation (Organization) of Women’s Freedom in Iraq (OWFI). Sources differ on whether she served as OWFI's president or as its director, indicating inconsistency in reporting. She is credited with creating Iraq’s first women’s shelter in 2003.
She was described as an Iraqi-Canadian activist who had returned to Iraq shortly before the attack. Sources note her prominence as a human-rights defender and a frequent public voice on women’s rights.
Violence against women activists
Her killing came amid a wider pattern of threats, attacks and assassinations targeting women's-rights campaigners in Iraq. Sources cite earlier murders and sustained backlash following disputed legal changes.
“Women's-rights campaigners face frequent threats, kidnappings and assassinations — notably Suad al-Ali (2018) and Riham Yacoub (2020) — and activists are skeptical that successive governments will bring perpetrators to justice given links between the ruling Coordination Framework and armed groups.”
Activists and groups say smear campaigns, kidnappings and assassinations have increased pressure on civil society. Observers warn that some extreme legal proposals that provoked public outcry were used to distract from corruption and to terrorise women and civil society.
Calls for justice and investigation
Her death prompted immediate calls for justice and an official probe. International groups condemned the killing and urged protection for human-rights defenders. Iraqi authorities — including Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al‑Sudani — ordered an investigation the same day.
Amnesty demanded that any probe be prompt, independent and meet international standards. Domestic organisations and political groups likewise demanded that authorities identify and prosecute those responsible.
Uncertain attack details
Sources differ on Mohammed’s exact age, with some outlets reporting 65 and others 66. The identity and motives of the attackers remain unknown.
“Iraqi-Canadian feminist and activist Yanar Mohammed, 65, founder of the Organization for Women’s Freedom in Iraq, was shot dead outside her home in northern Baghdad on Monday.”
Activists express scepticism that investigations will yield justice, citing past failures and alleged links between political actors and armed groups. Her organisation and some reports cite earlier death threats, including a 2004 threat from a militant group, but no perpetrator has been publicly identified in the attack.
