The Ministry of Defense responded to the circulating video featuring a "feminist influencer" at an airbase, a situation that has often occurred in the presence of high-ranking officers. The young woman in the video stated that she is "not an influencer" and presented a lengthy series of "certificates" that observers claimed were unrelated to her presence at the airbase. Additionally, the video contradicts Sudanese directives for officers and personnel to avoid videos and social media appearances alongside media personalities.
In a statement, the ministry clarified, "In response to what has been circulated by some accounts on social media regarding the appearance of a (video clip) from the official celebration held on the occasion of the 93rd anniversary of the establishment of the heroic air force, we would like to clarify the following: the Directorate of Media and Moral Guidance in the Ministry of Defense invited all local media, including local and international channels, agencies, social media, and influencers with good content to attend this event for media coverage."
The statement continued, "We all know the significant role that young men and women influencers from Iraq have played in supporting our heroic army and other Iraqi security forces in their fight against terrorism. The young woman whose video made the rounds was one of the attendees at this event to support our heroic forces."
It also noted, "Today we live in an age of digital media and social networks characterized by rapid dissemination. Defense ministries worldwide are increasingly turning to digital media and influencers alongside traditional media to convey their messages to the public."
For her part, the woman in the video commented that she is not an "influencer" but rather a communications engineer, the daughter of a senior officer who was a martyr, and she is studying media. Observers recalled Sudanese directives emphasizing the need for officers to stay away from social media and to avoid harming the military institution, arguing that the appearance of media personalities in such contexts harms the military establishment.
