Four journalists injured in press conference shelling

Bashir Khalif Gani, reporter for Radio Shabelle, Mohamed Abdi Nuhur, cameraman for Radio Shabelle, as well as Abdinasir Nur Gedi and Abdirisak Mire Dhore, respectively reporter and cameraman for HornCable TV, were wounded after artillery hit a place where the Al-Shabaab Islamic group was holding a press conference in the Warshadaha neighbourhood in southern Mogadishu.

The artillery, which is believed to have been thrown by forces loyal to the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia, dispersed other journalists who came to attend the press conference. No one else was wounded in the shelling.

The wounded journalists were immediately taken to hospital and they were discharged from the hospital due to the uncertain security situation and upon advice from the medical personnel that their wounds were treatable at home. They sustained wounds on the hands, heads and chests.

"We call upon warring sides in Mogadishu to immediately end hostilities and respect the work of journalists," said Omar Faruk Osman, NUSOJ secretary general.

Article published courtesy of IFEX