Several fighters defect from Al-Shabaab, surrender in Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Dozens of Al-Shabaab fighters have downed their tools following amnesty was given by the Somali government, with the national army set to commence the second and perhaps the final assault on the militants who still control large swathes of rural central and southern Somalia.

According to reports, over 100 militants have already crossed over and are now supporting the stabilization process in the Horn of Africa nation. This is the largest single defection from the group, a move which could further weaken the Al-Shabaab, who are fighting to topple the fragile UN-backed federal government of Somalia.

Abdullahi Nor, the National Counter-Terrorism Center director, said over 107 militants have since crossed over to the government, adding that most of them are taking advantage of the amnesty. The government of Somalia agreed to reintegrate defectors into the community after going through rehabilitation.

Without giving timelines, the government agency gave amnesty to those willing to defect from the group. Analysts said the offer was a move by the government to provide exit avenues for Al-Shabaab militants who were facing increasing pressure from the government with the net effect of weakening the terrorist group structure.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is currently leading the war efforts in central parts of the country. Already, he has visited Galgaduud and Mahas within the Hiiraan region, asking locals to support the ongoing offensive against the militants across the country, adding that the country will stabilize in the future.

The president is also exploring ways of tracing and blocking Al-Shabaab's sources of revenue, which has been sustaining the group's operations. Already, over 250 bank accounts and 70 mobile money transfer firms have been closed down following information from intelligence teams.

African Union Transition Mission in Somalia [ATMIS] and US Africa Command teams have been pushing for the stabilization of the country. The Somali National Army is expected to take full security responsibility from ATMIS by December 2024, but subject to a stabilization process.

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