MOGADISHU, Somalia – A senior Al-Shabaab commander reportedly surrendered to the Turkish-trained military elite – Gorgor based in the Harardhere district of Mudug region.
Abdirahman Hiiti Ibrahim, (Abu Abdirahman) was in charge of Al-Shabaab’s operations in the Nurdugle and Gulane areas in the Middle Shabelle region, south of Somalia.
“Abdirahman said he defected after facing a difficult situation within Al-Shabaab militants who are fighting each other now,” said the country’s military command in a statement.
The defector who did not disclose the department he was in charge of, indicated that he has been a member of Al-Shabaab for 7 years and took part in many battles in Somalia.
The latest surrender coincides with the recent increase in the number of Al-Shabab members defecting to the Somali government following an amnesty offer by the president.
The Somali government claimed it has gained ground in its war with Al-Shabaab, mainly in central Somalia since the launch of an all-out military offensive in August last year.
In conjunction with clan militias, the national army has dislodged Al-Shabaab from nearly 100 areas in Galmudug and HirShabelle, marking a breakthrough in the fifteen-year war.
As its campaign proceeds to the second and final phase, the Mogadishu-based Federal government was urged to take steps to strengthen its hold on the territory it has retaken.
