Australian model-turned-jihadi shot dead in Syria

Former Australian model Sharky Jama, who became a jihadi, has been killed in Syria. He was reportedly shot after joining the Islamic State (IS) last year, media reported Wednesday.

Jama's father Dada Jama confirmed his death to SBS Radio's Somali broadcaster Ibrahim Mohamed.

Dada Jama had received a phone call on Monday, saying that his son, a Melbourne-based former model, had been shot, Mohamed said.

"He (Dada Jama) was told by his friends," Mohamed added.

"He got a text message and he received a phone call from Syria, someone has told him his son has passed away. Then he said 'I tried his number', because he has contact with his son. Automatically, it goes to voicemail, that's what he said, and then he knew that his son is gone," the broadcaster said.

Earlier reports cited social media posts stating that Sharky Jama was living in the Iraqi city of Fallujah, held by the IS.

Mohamed said Dada Jama would be speaking to the Somali community in the wake of his son's death, urging them to take care of their children and ensure they did not fall prey to militants.