KISMAYO, Somalia – A senior Al-Shabab commander surrendered to the Somali National Army (SNA) on Tuesday in the Lower Jubba region under the Jubaland state of Somalia.
According to Somalia’s defense ministry, Mohamed Omar Mohamed, a long-time recruit of the Al-Qaeda-linked group, has safely defected to SNA forces in Bar Sanguni, about 50 kilometers north of Kismayo, the interim capital of Jubaland state.
“This defection highlights the crumbling morale within their ranks. His defection comes in the wake of relentless offensives by government forces against the Khawarij,” said the ministry in a statement posted on X, formerly Twitter.
“We are now displaying to the media an al-Shabab commander who was popular in areas under Jubaland State here in Bar Sanguni town, he was armed with an AK47 rifle and ammunition after he made successful contact with the army about his surrender,” said an SNA officer.
The officer has added that the Somali National Army [SNA] would welcome any Al-Shabaab fighters who are willing to surrender in line with the government’s amnesty offer.
Within this week, Abdirihman Adan Fanale, a member of Al-Shabaab surrendered to security forces in Hudur, Bakool under Southwest State Somalia after years in the group’s ranks.
There was no immediate comment from the Al-Shabaab group which has been fighting to overthrow the internationally recognized Somali government based in Mogadishu, Somalia.
