Mogadishu (Sunatimes) The Somali Government has strongly condemnded the action of Al-shabab and Hzibul-Islam militias, which took over two media houses in Somalia.

In a press statement that was released today, the Transitional Federal Government’s ministry of information has described the actions of the two groups against the media houses as "extremists looting more Private Radio Stations in their efforts to silence Somalia’s independent media"

Alshabab militants took over the HornAfrik station early Sunday and looted equipment, including transmitters and radio archives. HornAfrik is Somalia’s most popular and its first private media house. It was established in 1999.

Somalia Minister of Information, Abdirahman Omar Osman (Eng. Yarisow), said:

"We deplore that brutal action against the independent media. Looting of private media shows how they are desperate to get public support. Assassinations, intimidation and looting of equipment are part of efforts to silence the private media. Such acts will destroy the achievements made by Somalia’s media during the last decade."

The two insurgent groups in Somalia have so far taken over five private radio stations since the start of this year. They have also ordered radio stations to stop playing music and re-broadcasting news and programs of the BBC and VOA.

By Bar Kulan