Incident Summary:

11/14/2010: On Sunday, in the neighborhood of Berdaale in Baydabo, Bay, Somalia, unidentified militants kidnapped Abshir Muhammad Nur (alias Mandela), a local reporter who works for the UK based Somali Universal Television from his home. No casualties were reported and the status of the hostage is unknown. Al Shabaab earlier banned operations of Universal TV in all areas under its control. The TV was banned because of airing cartoons against Prophet Muhammad. No group has claimed responsibility, but the militant group Al Shabaab was thought responsible.

GTD ID:
201011140010

When:
2010-11-14

Country:
Somalia

Region:
Sub-Saharan Africa

Province/administrative
region/u.s. state:

Bay

City:
Baidoa

Location Details:
The incident occurred in the neighborhood of Berdaale in Baidoa.

Attack Information
Type of Attack (more) Hostage Taking (Kidnapping)
Successful Attack? (more) Yes
Target Information (more)
Target Type: Journalists & Media
Name of Entity Somali Universal Television
Specific Description A local reporter that works for Somali Universal Television
Nationality of Target Somalia
Additional Information
Hostages Yes
Number of Hostages 1
US Hostages 0
Outcome Unknown
Property Damage Unknown
Extent of Property Damage Unknown
Value of Property Damage Unknown
Weapon Information
Type Sub-type
Unknown
Weapon Details
It is unknown if weapons were used in the attack.
Additional Information
Suicide Attack?No
Part of Multiple Incident?No
Criterion 1 (more) Yes
Criterion 2 (more) Yes
Criterion 3 (more) Yes
Doubt Terrorism Proper (more) No
Perpetrator Group Information
Group Name Claimed Responsibility
Al-Shabaab (suspected) No
Perpetrator Statistics
Number of Perpetrators Unknown
Number of Captured Perpetrators 0
Casualty Information
Total Number of Casualties 0 Fatalities / 0 Injured
Total Number of Fatalities 0
Number of U.S. Fatalities 0
Number of Perpetrator Fatalities 0
Total Number of Injured 0
Number of U.S. Injured 0
Number of Perpetrators Injured 0
Sources
Agence France Presse, "Al-Shabab Arrest Local TV Journalist in South Western Region," World News Connection, Agence France Presse, November 16, 2010.