Somali militants’ diktat

MOGADISHU: A powerful Islamist group linked to al-Qaida has ordered two radio stations in southwestern Somalia to stop broadcasts indefinitely. Jubba Radio station journalist Mohamed Adawe says al-Shabab delivered a letter on Wednesday ordering the station’s closure. Adawe says the letter does not give any reason. The other station ordered to close is Warsan.

Al-Shabab spokesman Sheik Hassan Yaqub Ali declined to comment on the closure. Al-Shabab is fighting to overthrow the fragile U.N.-backed government in the capital, Mogadishu. The extremist group controls much of southern Somalia.

The country is one of the most dangerous places for the media to work in. At least five journalists have gunned down this year.