The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) regrets today, 28 Ocotber, the death of Somalian radio journalist Mohamed Mohamud on 28 October. Mohamed Mohamud died from injuries he suffered from a gunshot on 21 October. Seventeen journalists have been killed in Somalia this year.

Mohamed Mohamud, aka Turyare, producer and Webmaster of Radio Shabelle was fatally wounded on 21 October in an attack while walking back home in the Hawo Tako neighbourhood of Wadajir distrinct in Mogadishu when two unidentified armed men fired at him. Three bullets penetrated his stomach causing the journalist to immediately lose conscious.

Mohamud, a twenty-two year old, was immediately admitted to Mogadishu's Madina hospital where the doctors reported his condition as not life-threatening. On Saturday, however, Mohamud's condition suddenly deteriorated and measures were taken to transfer the young journalist abroad for prolonged medical treatment. Sadly, Mohamud passed away around 20 p.m. local time.

"It is extremely deplorable that Mohamed Mohamud Turyare died from the gunshot wounds," said Omar Faruk Osman, National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) Secretary General. "We reproach such an act whose primary intention was to eliminate Mohamud and we offer our heartfelt condolences to his family and colleagues," continued Mr Faruk.

Mohamed Mohamud's death underscores the hostile environment journalists in Somalia operate.