Al-Shabaab militants surrender in Somalia

HUDUR, Somalia - Three youthful Al-Shabaab members have surrendered in Somalia amid an ongoing crackdown against the militants in central and southern parts of the country, which has yielded positive results according to government statistics.

The government with the help of the US Africa Command, the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia [ATMIS], and the local militia have managed to topple the group from most strategic places in the last four months, leading to accolades from members of the international community.

According to reports, the three youthful Al-Shabaab members surrendered in Hudur District within Bakool region and were received by security and intelligence agents within the area. The security teams have granted amnesty to detectors who are ready to be repatriated.

The three men addressed the media after their defection, with Abdullahi Moalim Ibrahim claiming that he wanted to join school before he was lured to the Al-Shabaab sect. The Al-Shabaab usually take advantage of vulnerable youths during their recruitment across the country.

Ibrahim also confessed to taking part in battles as an al-Shabaab militant, particularly in the Aato district of the Bakool region. He asked for forgiveness while blaming ignorance for his decision to join the killer group which has been designated across the world.

The Deputy Governor for Bakool Ali Hussein Hassan said the room for defectors was still open noting that the government amnesty grant will be taken seriously. He also noted that the room for defection will not be granted once the government forces hit the ground running in the coming days.

Somalia's government has promised to help youths who drop out of school to resume studies once they defect from the Al-Shabaab. The poverty levels in the country have significantly contributed to the high number of youths joining the militants in the Horn of Africa nation according to reports.

GAROWE ONLINE