In August, two foreign freelance reporters were abducted by gunmen in Mogadishu. The kidnappings of Nigel Brennan and Amanda Lindhout from the Shamo Hotel marked an up-tick in violence against foreigners, and especially reporters, in a country that was already one of the most dangerous in the world for visitors.
Of course, it's no cake-walk for natives either, particularly journalists: five Somali journos have been killed so far this year -- and others threatened.
Brennan and Lindhout are still being held. Now we're hearing that two more foreigners -- Frenchmen -- were grabbed from the Sahafi Hotel this week. My sources have raised some questions about the abduction, however, and until I get better confirmation, count this as uncorroborated news.
(Photo: via Emergency.com)
Related:
World Politics Review: Somali Extremists Willing to Kill, to Cover Up Eritrea Connection
Death Threat E-mail from Somali Extremist
Somali Journo, Assassination Survivor, Flees Country
World Politics Review: Attacks on Somali Media Underscore Lawlessness
Somali Gov’t to Neighbors: Invade Us, Please
Help Rescue a Somali Reporter, Targeted for Assassination
Offiziere.ch: Mogadishu Battle Draws in Foreign Powers
Ethiopians Re-Invade Somalia?
Ethiopian Prez: Somali Insurgents “Desperate”
Alleged American Jihadist in Somalia = CIA Drone?
Offiziere.ch: Fresh Fighting Deepens Somali Islamist Schism
Fighting Resumes in Mogadishu
Reuters is saying they are security consultants posing as journalists:
http://frontlineclub.com/blogs/frontline/2009/07/french-journalists-kidnapped-in-mogadishu.html