Somali journalist Mohamed Abukar Dabaashe becomes the first press fatality of 2025 in a deadly attack targeting President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s convoy in Mogadishu.
In a grim morning in Mogadishu, chaos ensued when a bomb exploded at El-Gab Junction targeting the convoy of Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. While the President emerged unscathed, the attack claimed the life of Mohamed Abukar Dabaashe, a journalist working with Radio Risaala, marking him as the first journalist casualty in Somalia for the year 2025.
The attack occurred in close proximity to Villa Somalia, the official residence of the President, underscoring the daring nature of Al-Shabaab’s insurgency. Dabaashe, a respected figure in the Somali media landscape, was fatally caught in the blast while a nearby building collapsed in the aftermath. This tragic incident underscores the perilous conditions under which journalists operate within the country.
Al-Shabaab promptly claimed responsibility for the attack, stating their intent to kill the president. This bold assertion marks a significant escalation in the group’s tactics, considering it the first direct attempt on President Mohamud’s life since an incident in 2014 during his earlier tenure.
The Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) immediately condemned the attack, mourning the loss of Dabaashe as a major blow to the press community. The loss was further compounded by the death of another journalist, Ayuub Wardheere, who perished in the same attack. The Somali Women Journalists Organization (SWJO) expressed its heartache over the incident, highlighting the ongoing risks faced by media professionals in Somalia.
The condemnation reached political echelons with former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed denouncing the act as cowardly and calling for national unity against such terrorism. He emphasized the non-combatant status of the fasting victims, including Dabaashe, during this holy month, underscoring the barbaric nature of the attack.
Following the incident, President Mohamud was seen in Middle Shabelle overseeing a military campaign against Al-Shabaab, signaling a strong governmental response to the insurgent threat. In reaction to the attack, Somali security forces initiated widespread counterterrorism operations in Mogadishu, with expectations of heightened security measures to safeguard the capital against future threats.
This attack not only represents a tragic loss for the media community but also illustrates the volatile security situation in Somalia, where journalists remain vulnerable to the broader conflict affecting the nation. The death of Dabaashe serves as a somber reminder of the challenges and dangers journalists face while covering stories in one of the world’s most dangerous regions for the press.
