Somali TV journalist killed in suicide bombing

Author: Chany Ninrew | Published: Tuesday, October 17, 2023

Abdifatah Moalim Nur had received threats in the past, fellow journalists tell BBC. (Somali Cable Television/Facebook/ via BBC)

A prominent Somali TV journalist was killed in Al-Shabab suicide bombing on Monday evening at a restaurant in the capital, Mogadishu, according to multiple reports.

Abdifatah Moalim Nur, popularly known as Qeys becomes the first journalist to be killed in Somalia this year, according to a local media watchdog.

Mogadishu Police said four other people were injured outside the restaurant which is near the presidential palace.

The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) said it was “deeply shaken” by the “senseless and brutal” killing of Nur, who was the director of the privately owned Somali Cable Television.

“His remarkable career and unwavering dedication have left an indelible mark on Somali journalism, inspiring countless young journalists to strive for excellence,” the union said, according to BBC.

Al Qaeda-linked terrorist group al-Shabab militant group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack in a Telegram message seen by VOA.

Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) said it “condemns this atrocious attack targeting our colleague Abdifatah Qeys. Our hearts go out to other community members whose loved ones were affected by this heinous attack” in a statement.

The incident happens a year after the October 2022 killing of journalist Mohamed Isse Hassan, who was among more than 100 people slained in twin car bombings in Mogadishu.

A month before then, a reporter with state-owned Somali National Television, Ahmed Mohamed Shukur, was by killed by a landmine near the capital.

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