MOGADISHU (HOL) – A prominent Somali journalist has been wounded when a bomb concealed in his car was detonated in the country’s capital city Tuesday, police say, in the latest in strings of attacks against media workers in Somalia in recent years.
Ismail Sheikh Khalifa, the director of a local radio station, Hiddo suffered serious injuries on the back and abdomen from the bomb which was detonated beneath his car seat.
Witnesses told Hiiraan Online that the bomb went off as Khalifa who is also a media rights activist was driving in Waberi district.
He has suffered a substantial blood loss before he was rushed to the Turkish-funded Digfer hospital where he is currently being treated, according to his colleagues.
The National Union of Somali Journalists has condemned the assassination attempt against the veteran journalist, calling for an urgent investigation by authorities to bring perpetrators to justice.
Somalia is one of the most dangerous places for media workers to operate, with over 59 journalists have been killed since 1991 after warlords overthrew the central government.
The Al-Qaeda linked al-Shabab group, warlords and government officials are suspected to have perpetuated the attacks against journalists. Hundreds of journalists have since fled the country.