The IPI global network expresses its condolences to the family and colleagues of Somalian journalist Ahmed Mohamed Shukur, a journalist and camera operator who was killed in a bomb attack while covering a military operation near Mogadishu on September 30. We call on authorities to swiftly and thoroughly investigate this killing and to step up protections for all journalists in the country.聽
According to , Shukur, who worked for Somali National Television (SNTV), was killed by a bomb explosion while on assignment covering a counter-terrorism operation conducted by the Somali security forces in the Basro neighborhood of Bal鈥檃d district outside Mogadishu. The Al-Shabaab group responsibility for the attack, which also killed one security forces officer.
鈥淲e urge the authorities to provide more protection to journalists covering military operations in the country鈥欌��, Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, Secretary General of Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS), told IPI.聽
鈥淭he tragic killing of cameraman Ahmed Mohamed Shukur illustrates the often extremely dangerous conditions in which journalists and media workers in Somalia operate.鈥� Amy Brouillette, IPI Director of Advocacy, said. 鈥淲e strongly urge the government to scale up safety measures for journalists covering military operations. Journalists must be able to report freely and safely, even when covering conflict. Any attack against a journalist must be investigated thoroughly and swiftly as a matter of international law鈥�,聽 she said.聽