MOGADISHU, Somalia – A journalist working for the privately-owned Shabelle Media Network was wounded in a car bomb attack while reporting on the frontlines of the war against Al-Shabaab.
Abdi Ismail, a war zone reporter sustained injuries from a huge explosion aimed at assassinating the president of Galmudug regional state and lawmakers in Las-Ga’amey on Friday morning.
The attack was foiled after the president’s security guards fended off the car bomb and shot dead the driver while speeding towards a house accommodating the top officials.
Federal Senator Abdi Hassan Awale Qeybdid and lawmaker Dhaban’ad were also injured in the suicide car bomb attack claimed by Al-Shabaab, Al-Qaeda’s East Africa branch.
In a statement, Shabelle Media Network management said it was “horrified” to hear of Ismails’ injuries.
“We know Ismail for his warmth, good humor, and professionalism. We wish him a quick recovery and call for utmost efforts to protect journalists who are providing an invaluable service through their coverage in Somalia,” added the statement.
Somalia is regarded as one of the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists, as they face threats from both government and militant groups like Al-Shabab and a few clan militias.
