Somalia: Local journalist among 71 civilians injured in Baidoa fighting

Bashir, 24, was shot twice in the back near his home in northern district of Baidoa known as "Al Axmaar", with the bullets penetrating through his abdomen, according to his colleagues who spoke to SJS. He was taken to Bay General Hospital, where doctors performed emergency surgery. He remains in a coma and is receiving treatment at the hospital. Clashes erupted in Baidoa on Thursday between forces loyal to ousted Southwest State President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen and federal forces backing Adan Madobe, who has been presented as the new leader of Southwest State and backed by the Federal Government of Somalia. Hospital emergency sources told SJS that at least 30 civilians, including women and children, were treated for injuries sustained during the fighting. The injured included journalist Bashir Mohamed Abdullahi. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), also known as Doctors Without Borders, which supports Bay Regional Hospital, the main hospital in Baidoa, reported that the facility received 71 wounded people, including 15 women and 12 children following the 3 September fighting. Media reports indicated that more than 12 people were killed in Thursday's clashes. Journalists in Baidoa told SJS that the security situation has become increasingly dangerous as armed clashes have recurred in recent weeks. Several journalists also reported receiving threats and intimidation linked to their work and reporting on the conflict. SJS is particularly concerned that both sides involved in the Baidoa conflict are exerting pressure on journalists and attempting to influence their reporting in favour of their respective positions. This has created an increasingly hostile and dangerous environment for journalists, who are being forced to work under intense pressure amid active armed conflict. Three journalists who spoke to SJS said they were considering leaving Baidoa because of the deteriorating security situation. The renewed fighting has also triggered increased displacement of civilians from affected areas. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Somalia reported on Friday that its teams had reported "that dozens of casualties were received in hospitals" in Baidoa following the fighting. Bashir, 24, was shot twice in the back near his home in northern Baidoa, with the bullets penetrating through his abdomen, according to his colleagues who spoke to SJS. SJS strongly condemns the shooting of civilians and the serious injury of journalist Bashir Mohamed Abdullahi in Baidoa who now remains in his hospital with critical injuries.We pray for his immediate recovery and perpetrators who shot him and other civilians should be held to account. "Journalists and civilians must not become targets or casualties of political and military confrontations. We condemn the shooting of journalist Bashir Mohamed Abdullahi. The authorities and all parties involved in the fighting in Baidoa must immediately ensure the protection of civilians and journalists, respect press freedom, and end threats and intimidation against media workers," said SJS Secretary General, Abdalle Mumin. SJS also condemns the continued use of violence and pressure to control journalism reporting in Baidoa which is unacceptable and is putting journalists' lives at serious risk. We call all parties to the Baidoa conflict to respect the safety and independence of journalists, protect them from harm, and ensure they can carry out their professional duties without intimidation, interference, or violence. Journalists must never be treated as parties to the conflict or made targets because of their reporting. "Journalists play a vital role in informing the public and documenting events during times of conflict. Therefore we remind everyone that targeting, threatening, or attacking journalists just because of their work is a serious violation and a crime that must not be tolerated," Mr. Mumin added. — SJS Note: This statement has been updated with the latest casualty figures reported by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), which said Bay Regional Hospital in Baidoa received 71 wounded people, including 15 women and 12 children. - Somali Journalists Syndicate -