NAIROBI, 27 Oct 2007 - The Somali autonomous region of Puntland has shut a radio station and detained its editor, media watchdogs said Sunday, as attacks on journalists escalated in the troubled nation.

Authorities shut Radio Garowe in the central region on Friday and arrested its head Abdi Farah Jama Mire, producer Mohammed Dahir Yusuf, and editor Isse Abdillahi Mohammed.

Two have been released, but Abdillahi Mohammed was still in custody, the National Union of Somali Journalists said in a statement.

Puntland authorities have not given any reason why the radio was closed.

Rights groups have called for protection for journalists in Somalia, where eight have been killed this year and several others arrested, ambushed or robbed.

Somalia ranks as the second deadliest country worldwide this year after Iraq for journalists, according to the US-based Committee for the Protection of Journalists.

Gunmen on Friday killed Bashir Nur Gedi, the head of Shabelle Media Network, the second biggest in the Horn of Africa nation.

"2007 is turning into a nightmare year for Somali journalism," said Aidan White, secretary general for the Brussels-based International Federation for Journalists.

Islamist militants, who were ousted from Mogadishu this year by Ethiopia-backed government forces, have carried out near-daily attacks in the capital.

Somalia has been torn apart by conflict since the 1991 ouster of dictator Mohamed Siyad Barre set off a prolonged power struggle that has left tens of thousands dead.

Source: AFP