The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) condemns in the strongest terms possible the assassination attempt of journalist Ismail Sheikh Khalifa after vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) that was planted in his car exploded at Maka Murramah road in Mogadishu’s Waberi district, some minutes past 16hrs.
Ismail Sheikh Khalifa, a well-known radio journalist and university lecturer who is the chairman of Human Rights Journalists NGO, was immediately rushed to Erdogan Hospital, formerly Digfeer hospital, whereby medical doctors reported serious blood loss and sustains serious wounds isolated to the abdomen and the back. He was released from the operating theatre some minutes before and his situation is stable according to the doctors.
Abdulkadir Mohamed Farah, Secretary General of HRJ, condemned this attack as a deliberate attack to take away the life of Ismail Sheikh Khalifa. “We are in state of shock as we cannot understand what justifies this cruel attack on Ismail’s life” he added.
“We are very disturbed by this senseless attack on the life of Ismail Sheikh Khalifa, and he has our full solidarity. Somali authorities must credibly investigate this cruel attack and ensure all those responsible are swiftly brought to justice,” said Omar Faruk Osman, NUSOJ Secretary General.
No group has so far claimed this responsibility for the violent attack.
