HUDUR, Somalia, March 30, 2015 (Garowe Online)-Amidst bitter dissension and severe setbacks on the frontline, another senior Al Shabaab official gave himself up in Bakool region of southern Somalia on Sunday afternoon, Garowe Online reports.

Somali National Army (SNA) commander, Abdirahman Mohamed Osman (Tima Adde) said on Mogadishu-based station on Monday that Al Shabaab intelligence official and terror attacks mastermind Mohamed Ali Hassan surrendered to the army units in Bakool.

“Al Shabaab emir and amniyat member who had since been operating in Lower Shabelle region has surrendered to the government forces,” said Tima Adde, adding that the terror official initially contacted government soldiers for discussions on his surrender.

Hassan is believed to have coordinated suicide bombings and ambushes along Mogadishu-Afgoye road.

The man conceded launching an attack on Lower Shabelle Governor Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur Siidi near Ambarreso village.

In December 2014, top Al Shabaab official Zakariye Ismael Hirsi handed himself in in the border region of Gedo.

In early March, US delisted Hirsi, prompting welcoming statement by Somalia Federal Government.

Al Shabaab lost a string of strategic towns in central and southern Somalia to allied forces over the last two years. 

GAROWE ONLINE