MOGADISHU, Somalia 7 September 2026 – The Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) expresses its deepest condolences over the death of journalist Bashir Mohamed Abdullahi, also known as Bashir Moalin, a reporter with the local Arlaadi Media Network, who succumbed to gunshot injuries sustained during armed clashes in Baidoa on Thursday, 3 September 2026. He becomes the second journalist killed in Somalia this year.

Early on Monday, 7 September 2026, Bashir, 28, died from critical injuries he sustained while seeking shelter during armed clashes in Baidoa, Southwest State, his family told SJS.

According to colleagues who spoke to SJS, Bashir was shot twice in the back near his home in the northern Baidoa neighbourhood known as Al Axmaar. The bullets penetrated through his abdomen. He was taken to Bay Regional Hospital, where doctors performed emergency surgery. He remained in a coma from Thursday until his death on Monday morning.

At the time of his death, SJS was working with Bashir’s family to facilitate his referral to Mogadishu for specialised medical treatment. On Sunday, SJS received a medical report from his family indicating that he urgently required transfer to specialised life-saving care that was not available in Baidoa.

"The patient’s condition remains serious,” a doctor treating Bashir told SJS on Sunday, stressing the need for emergency evacuation for further life-saving treatment.

Moalin Mohamed Abdullahi, the father of Bashir, told SJS that the body was buried in Baidoa and he called for accountability for those responsible for the shooting.

"My son was supporting his siblings and his fourth-month-old son. He was shot twice in the back. I want accountability for my son. Those who killed him must be found,” said Moalin Mohamed Abdullahi.

Bashir was born in Hudur town, Bakool region. He moved to Baidoa, where he worked for the Arlaadi Media Network in the past three years, his colleagues told SJS.

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 is supported by the Federal Government of Somalia.

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), also known as Doctors Without Borders, which supports Bay Regional Hospital, reported that the facility received 71 wounded people, including 15 women and 12 children, following the fighting on 3 September.

More than 12 people were killed in Thursday’s clashes as local media reported.

Bashir’s death highlights the serious risks faced by journalists and other civilians caught in armed violence. Journalists in Baidoa told SJS that the security situation has become increasingly dangerous as clashes have recurred in recent weeks. Several journalists also reported receiving threats and intimidation linked to their work and coverage of 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. Such pressure undermines the ability of journalists to work independently and the public’s right to receive information during a period of conflict and political crisis.

SJS reminds all parties to the conflict in Somalia’s Southwest State that it is their responsibility to take all feasible measures to protect civilians, including journalists, from the effects of hostilities and must respect applicable international humanitarian and human rights standards.

SJS further calls for credible and impartial investigations into the circumstances surrounding the shooting of Bashir who was simply running to safety when he was shot twice on the back, as doctors and his family confirmed. SJS also urges that anyone found responsible be held accountable in accordance with the law. Accountability is essential to prevent further attacks against journalists and to ensure that violations against civilians do not go unpunished.

SJS mourns Bashir’s death and extends its condolences to his family, colleagues, Arlaadi Media Network and the wider Somali media community.

"On behalf of the SJS team and the entire media community in Somalia, we extend our deepest condolences over the shocking death of our colleague Bashir Mohamed Abdullahi in Baidoa this morning. He was shot and critically injured on Thursday while trying to reach safety during armed clashes in his neighbourhood. He remained in a coma at Bay Regional Hospital until doctors and his family confirmed that he had succumbed to his injuries today,” said SJS Secretary General Abdalle Mumin.

"This is another tragic loss of a journalist in Somalia and a stark reminder of the serious and continuing risks faced by media workers across the country. Bashir was unarmed. At the time he was shot, he was simply running to safety during armed clashes in his neighbourhood. We demand an independent and credible investigation into the circumstances of Bashir’s shooting and accountability for those responsible,” Mr. Mumin added.

Bashir is the second media worker killed in Somalia this year. On 2 March 2026, journalist Abshir Khalif Shidane was shot dead in Kismayo, Jubaland State, by a Jubaland State police officer.