3 Journalists killed, at least 4 wounded in Mogadishu

MOGADISHU, Somalia, September 21, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) condemns in strongest terms possible the killing and wounding of journalists in a horrifying suicide attack in Mogadishu restaurant frequented by journalists.

Two suicide bombers walked into “The Village” restaurant, at the Mothers' House – a well-known building near National Theater - on Thursday evening after Maghrib prayer (just after sunset). The two suicide bombers reportedly blew themselves killing and wounding those who were sitting around them.

The journalists who were killed in this attack are Liban Ali Nur, head of News of Somali National TV, Abdisatar Daher Sabriye, Head of news of Radio Mogadishu, and Abdirahman Yasin Ali, Director of Radio Hamar (Voice of Democracy).

At least four journalists were wounded in this attack. The injured journalists are Mohamed Hussein, aka gentlemen, reporter for Somali National TV, Abdullahi Mohamed Ali Suldan of Radio Kulmiye, Abdirisaq Shine of Radio Kulmiye, and Nure Mohamed Ali of Radio kulmiye. The wounded journalists were all admitted in Madina and Daru Shifa hospitals.

“We strongly condemn this gratuitous and bloodthirsty attack on journalists. We are absolutely convinced that this was a targeted attack on journalists,” said Omar Faruk Osman, NUSOJ Secretary General.

Al-Shabaa has immediately claimed the responsibility of this “cruel attack” which they stated that they wanted to target journalists and send them a message.

NUSOJ is outraged as the number of journalists and other media workers killed since January this year reaches 12. “2012 has sadly turned today the single deadliest year for journalists in the history of our country” declared Osman.