Aid worker shot dead in SomaliaBy ABDULKADIR KHALIF in Mogadishu | Thursday, May 10  2012 at  18:05

Unidentified gunmen in Somalia shot dead an aid worker with the UK-based Islamic Relief organisation Mohamed Ahmed Fanah.

Mr Fanah was shot by two men on Wednesday evening in Baidoa, 240km southwest of Mogadishu.

The gunmen fled the scene soon after committing the crime.

Confirming the incident, the Transitional Federal Government's (TFG) Bay Region Governor, Mr Abdifatah Mohamed Gesey, said the deceased was the coordinator with Islamic Relief UK in Baidoa.

“We are aware of the incident and will issue a statement on circumstances surrounding the incident later,” said the governor.

The incident occurred at a landmark area with a major mosque and a building used to house a bank when the town hosted TFG between 2006 and 2008.

Aid workers, journalists and other professionals often fall victims of intimidation, kidnapping and killings, leading to many fleeing the country.

Zealous Islamists often arbitrarily suspend or bring to complete stop operations of media houses, businesses and NGOs.

Meanwhile, there have been reports of heavy fighting between Somali Government forces supported by Ethiopian troops and Al-Shabaab fighters about 25km outside the town of Hudur.

The clashes took place when pro-government forces attacked Al-Shabaab militia bases 420km southwest of Mogadishu, on Wednesday night.

According to reports by villagers in the area, the two sides used an assortment of weapons whose sounds could be heard far and wide, but there have been no reports of casualties.