Over 100 Al-Shabaab fighters have surrendered to gov’t since July: Report

A total of 107 Al-Shabaab fighters surrendered to the Somali government in July and August, according to Abdullahi Mohamed Nor, the Head of the National Center for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (Tubsan).

In his remarks to the media on Thursday, Nor said the defections occurred in four of Somalia’s six federal member states: Galmudug, Hirshabelle, South-west state, and Jubbaland.

He noted that the defectors encompassed underage recruits and women, urging other Al-Shabaab members to choose peace and surrender.

Nor attributed the surrender of these fighters to the combination of relentless offensive operations by Somali forces and the president’s amnesty offer.

He also reiterated the government’s readiness to welcome those who opt for peace and encouraged remaining members of the group to consider surrendering themselves to the government as well.