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Syrian journalist attacked by IS in Turkey dies

Associated Press
Published | Updated

FILE - In this April 4, 2016 file photo, Syrian journalist Mohammed Zahir al-Sherqat is seen on Halab Today TV studio in Gaziantep, Turkey. A Syrian journalist who was shot in the Turkish city of Gaziantep in an attack claimed by the Islamic State group died from his wounds Tuesday, April 12, 2016 a close friend said. The death of Halab Today TV presenter Mohammed Zahir al-Sherqat marks the fourth assassination of a Syrian journalist in Turkey claimed by the extremist group. Friends told the AP that the journalist had received death threats as recently as two months ago from IS extremists. (Halab Today TV via AP, file) (The Associated Press)

FILE - In this Oct. 30, 2012 file photo, then an imam, Syrian journalist Mohammed Zahir al-Sherqat speaks during a festival for children in his hometown of Al-Bab, Syria. A Syrian journalist who was shot in the Turkish city of Gaziantep in an attack claimed by the Islamic State group died from his wounds Tuesday, April 12, 2016 a close friend said. The death of Halab Today TV presenter Mohammed Zahir al-Sherqat marks the fourth assassination of a Syrian journalist in Turkey claimed by the extremist group. Friends told the AP that the journalist had received death threats as recently as two months ago from IS extremists. (AP Photo/Barry Abdullatif, File) (The Associated Press)

FILE - In this Oct. 30, 2012 file photo, then an imam, Syrian journalist Mohammed Zahir al-Sherqat speaks during a festival for children in his hometown of Al-Bab, Syria. A Syrian journalist who was shot in the Turkish city of Gaziantep in an attack claimed by the Islamic State group died from his wounds Tuesday, April 12, 2016 a close friend said. The death of Halab Today TV presenter Mohammed Zahir al-Sherqat marks the fourth assassination of a Syrian journalist in Turkey claimed by the extremist group. Friends told the AP that the journalist had received death threats as recently as two months ago from IS extremists. (AP Photo/Barry Abdullatif, File) (The Associated Press)

A Syrian journalist who was shot in the Turkish city of Gaziantep in an attack claimed by the Islamic State group has died from his wounds.

Mohammed Zahir al-Sherqat died on Tuesday afternoon in a hospital in Gaziantep, near the Syrian border, according to his friend Barry Abdulattif, a Syrian activist.

Sherqat, who worked for Halab Today TV, was shot in the neck from close range on Sunday while walking on a street.

Friends told the AP that the journalist had received death threats as recently as two months ago from IS extremists.

IS claimed the attack on Monday via the IS-affiliated Aamaq news agency, which said Sherqat "used to present anti-Islamic State programs."

It marks the fourth assassination of a Syrian journalist in Turkey claimed by the extremist group.