MOGADISHU- Somalia’s media association group ASOJ led condemnation Sunday of the closure and looting of radio Hornafrik by Alshabaab militants to protest the media outrage by the group, chairman Dahir Abdulle Alasow said.

Gunmen from Alshabaab have entered the radio building late on Saturday and looted the radio’s operating equipments as they also blindfolded and beaten the staff and guards at the station.

"I am deeply disturbed by this cowardly raid and looting on Hornafrik by Alshabaab" Dahir Abdulle Alasow, the chairman of the ASSOCIATED SOMALI JOURNALISTS, ASOJ, said in a statement.

"Alshabaab has to bring back the equipments and stop terrorizing media, so that journalists can exercise their duty without fear for their lives and well-being." He added.

Hornafrik’s shocked staff said they were worried for their own safety in the millitants‘ stronghold, a heartland for the extremists which heavily restricted the media while the weak Somali government has failed to help the deprived journalists.

"If they looted the radio, they may also target us with killings. I'm scared," said a reporter at Hornafrik who asked not to be named for fear of reprisal.

Somalia has lacked an effective central government for 19 years.

Western and neighboring countries say it has become a sanctuary for militants.

Source: ASOJ.ORG