Somalia: Journalist fatally wounded during football match

Ahmed Hassan Ahmed, a sports reporter for SIMBA radio based in Mogadishu was hit by stray bullet in the stomach, seriously damaging the intestines, bladder and kidneys. Ahmed fell to the ground when he was hit by the bullet, receiving wounds in his left shoulder as well, according to an eyewitness journalist.

"As we were covering the match between SITT and Dekadaha, Ahmed fell to the ground at the second half of the match," Shafici Mohyadin Abokor, press officer of Somali Football Federation said. "We are very much upset by this tragedy."

Ahmed Hassan Ahmed was immediately rushed to Madina Hospital where he was hospitalised. Doctors of Madina Hospital performed surgery on Wednesday morning, according to family members and the director of the SIMBA radio.

Health status unknown

"Ahmed went under medical surgery and now is unconscious and we don't know how his health would be as he was seriously wounded by the bullet penetrating many parts of his body," said Abdullahi Ali Farah known as Atosh, director of SIMBA radio.

The match between SITT and Dekadaha was taking place at a football field in the Hodan district, where an intense gun battle between the government allied African Union forces and the Shabab was taking place.

In another incident, a female journalist who works for the Mogadishu-based Radio Voice of Peace, was wounded by a stray bullet on 13 March in the same neighborhood of Hodan.

Constant journalist casualties

Samiira Mohamed Ali was hit by a stray bullet while returning from work. She received chest and shoulder wounds and was admitted to Madina Hospital and now she is recovering. She is currently in good health.

"We are appalled by the constant journalists' casualties during the daily street battles in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, while trying to cover the news," said Mohammed Ibrahim, NUSOJ acting secretary general. "We praise for their courageous reporting and ask Allah for immediate recovery."

Dozens of civilians are wounded or killed by stray bullets in Mogadishu each day.