Journalist Bashir Mohamed Abdullahi, also known as Bashir Moalin, who worked for Arlaadi Media Network, has died in Baidoa after succumbing to severe gunshot wounds sustained during fighting that erupted in the city on September 3, 2026.
The Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) said Bashir passed away on the morning of September 7 after spending several days in critical condition. He was reportedly shot while trying to flee heavy fighting in the Al-Axmaar neighborhood in northern Baidoa.
According to accounts provided to SJS by his family and colleagues, two bullets struck him in the back and penetrated his abdomen.
Following the shooting, Bashir was rushed to Bay Regional Hospital, where doctors performed emergency surgery. However, his condition remained extremely serious, and he fell into a coma from Thursday until his death on Monday morning.
SJS said it had been working with Bashir’s family to arrange his transfer to Mogadishu for specialized treatment, as medical facilities in Baidoa were unable to provide the advanced care he required.
A medical report shared with the union on Sunday indicated that his condition demanded urgent evacuation to a better-equipped hospital capable of delivering life-saving treatment.
Bashir’s father, Moalin Mohamed Abdullahi, said his son was laid to rest in Baidoa and called for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
He described Bashir as the primary provider for his family and said he leaves behind a four-month-old child.
Originally from Hudur in Bakool region, Bashir had lived and worked in Baidoa for the past three years as a journalist with Arlaadi Media Network, according to friends who spoke to SJS.
His death follows intense clashes in Baidoa on September 3 between forces loyal to former South West State President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen and federal troops supporting Aden Mohamed Nur (Aden Madoobe), who has been presented as the new leader of South West State.
The fighting spread through parts of the city, forcing civilians to seek shelter from gunfire and armed confrontations.
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), which supports Bay Regional Hospital, said the facility treated 71 people wounded in the violence, including 15 women and 12 children. Local media also reported that more than 12 people were killed during the clashes.
SJS said Bashir’s death underscores the dangers faced by journalists and civilians caught in armed conflict. Reporters in Baidoa have told the union that the city’s security situation has deteriorated in recent weeks as recurring clashes continue to disrupt daily life.
Some journalists have also reported receiving threats and intimidation linked to their coverage of the conflict.
SJS expressed concern over growing pressure on media workers, saying parties involved in the fighting have attempted to influence reporting and restrict independent coverage.
The union called for a credible and impartial investigation into Bashir’s shooting, noting that he was an unarmed journalist attempting to reach safety when he was struck by gunfire.
It urged all sides in the conflict to take every possible measure to protect civilians, including journalists, and to respect international humanitarian and human rights law.
SJS further stated that anyone found responsible for Bashir’s death should be held accountable under the law.
According to the union, Bashir is the second Somali journalist killed in 2026. On March 2, journalist Abshir Khalif Shidane was shot dead in Kismayo, with SJS alleging that a Jubaland police officer was responsible for the killing.
The deaths of the two journalists have renewed concerns about the safety of media workers in Somalia, particularly during periods of armed conflict and political tension.
SJS described Bashir’s death as a painful loss for Somalia’s media community and extended condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, and the staff of Arlaadi Media Network.
SJS Secretary-General Abdalle Mumin said Bashir was an unarmed journalist who was wounded while trying to escape fighting near his neighborhood.
He reiterated the union’s call for an independent investigation to establish the facts surrounding the shooting and ensure justice and accountability.
Bashir Mohamed Abdullahi’s death has been widely mourned across Somalia’s media community and serves as another stark reminder of the risks journalists face while reporting from conflict zones.