Somalia: Al Jazeera journalists freed in Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia- Al Jazeera journalist Hamza Mohamed has been released from custody after the Somali forces have arrested him following his trip to Afgoye, Garowe Online reports.

Mohamed, a British national, was detained on Tuesday on his way back to the capital Mogadishu along with a driver and two colleagues.

Mohamed has frequently travelled to Somalia over the past few years to cover politics, economics and culture for Al Jazeera "with accuracy and integrity", according to a statement released by Al Jazeera Media Network on Wednesday.

However, Somalia’s Information Minister, Abdi Mareye during an interview with VOA on Wednesday, said that the journalists were apprehended after entering the country without prior consent of the government and traveled to an area controlled by Al-Shabab.

Mareye said that the journalists would be set free after questioning unless they were found to be guilty of breaking the laws.

Al Qaida linked Al Shabaab group has intensified its attacks in the past weeks against security forces and AMISOM troops in Southern Somalia. The group vowed to disrupt the upcoming Somali election scheduled to end in November 30.

In Tuesday, at least 20 government soldiers reported to be killed after Al Shabaab fighters launched attacks against a military base belonging to the Somali forces in Afgoye district.

GAROWEONLINE