A Malaysian journalist was shot dead and another seriously wounded in the

A Malaysian journalist was shot dead and another seriously wounded in the war-torn Somali capital Friday after clashes involving African Union troops and other gunmen broke out, officials said.

“A Malaysian journalist was killed and another was wounded after there was shooting involving the African Union forces,” said Adbukarim Ali, a security official with the AU-backed government army.

The journalists were travelling with privately hired militiamen that foreigners regularly hire for protection against kidnap in Mogadishu, one of the most dangerous capitals in the world.

“The men were hit by bullets when they were in their car, as they apparently were returning to their hotel,” Ali added, who said the shooting took place in Mogadishu’s central K4 area.

Press rights watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) named the killed journalist as Noramfaizul Mohd Nor, a visiting cameraman working for Malaysian Bernama TV.

It was not immediately possible to contact a spokesman for the AU mission in Somalia (AMISOM) in Mogadishu.

However, a senior official not authorized to speak to the media confirmed a journalist had been killed and another wounded.

Source AFP