Hodan Nalayeh, Journalist and Founder of Integration TV, Has Been Killed In Hotel Attack In Somalia

Somali officials say there are several casualties resulting from a suicide bomb and gun attack by Al-Shabab in Kismayo, Somalia, Al-Jazeerareports.

According to authorities, a suicide bomber crashed a car loaded with explosives into The Medina—a popular hotel in the port city in the southern part of the country. Legislators and local elders were convening there to discuss an upcoming local election.

"The toll may increase since the attack is not over yet," Abdi Dhuhul, security official, tells AFP. He notes that among the dead are a former local administration minister, a legislator, as well as journalists and politicians.

Reuters adds that Hodan Nalayeh, TV journalist and founder of Integration TV, her husband Farid Jama Suleiman, former minister of commerce of Jubbaland Federal State and Mohamed Omar Sahal, SBC TV correspondent, are among those killed.

Nalayeh, who was also an honoree in OkayAfrica's 2019 100 Women list, was on a mission to show the world that African stories are not only nuanced, but valid—especially through the stories she cultivated on the ground utilizing social media in her dear country of Somalia.

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She was a 13-year media and marketing vet, with American shows including American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance on her list of credits. Learn more about her story here.

The Somali community have gathered online to mourn those lost including the life of Nalayeh. Here are some of their reflections below.