According to preliminary reports quoted by NUSOJ’ statement, Shukur was on assignment to cover the counter-terrorism operations by the Somali security forces, aimed at dislodging elements of the Al-Shabaab militias from the area. Banadir Region Police Commander, General Farhan Mohamoud Adan, was also killed in the same incident.
He became the first journalist to be killed in Somalia this year.
NUSOJ Secretary General Oman Faruk Osman said: “We are saddened and mourn the needless death of yet another young and brave journalist in the line of duty. [...] We condemn this cruel attack that claimed the life of a promising journalist who sacrificed his personal safety to bring details of this operation to the people of Somalia and the world in general.”
IFJ Secretary General Anthony Bellanger said: “The IFJ is deeply saddened by the killing of Shukur, the first journalist murdered in Somalia this year. We call for urgent action to identify and bring the perpetrators to justice. Violence against media workers in the country will not end until the crimes against them are punished.”