Southwest State unveils surrendered Al-Shabaab fighters

Authorities in Somalia’s Southwest State on Wednesday presented four former Al-Shabaab members who surrendered to security forces in the Bay region, local media reported.

According to officials, the individuals, originally from the Bay, Bakool, and Jubba regions, had fought for Al-Shabaab in multiple battles across Bay, Bakool, and Buulo Xaaji in Jubbaland before defecting.

The former fighters told authorities they had long sought a way to leave Al-Shabaab but struggled to do so until now. They urged others still in the group to surrender and reintegrate into society.

The surrender comes amid ongoing clashes between Al-Shabaab and government forces in several states, including Southwest, as the group has intensified its attacks across the country in recent weeks.

The Somali government offers an amnesty program for defectors, aiming to reintegrate former Al-Shabaab fighters into society.