Ten Al-Shabaab members defect to Somali gov’t

Ten Al-Shabaab members have surrendered to the Somali intelligence officers in South West regional state amid an anti-terror offensive against the militant group.

Speaking in Baidoa, the interim capital of South West regional state, members said they took advantage of the presidential pardon.

Since his re-election in May last year, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has on several occasions renewed offers of amnesty to members of Al-Shabaab as he promised an ‘all-out war’ against the al-Qaida-linked militant group.

Local government media said the ex-militants were active combatants in various frontlines across the country including Bay, Bakool, Lower Shabelle, Middle Shabelle, Hiiraan, and Mudug.

Since the beginning of the anti-terror offensive, dozens of Al-Shabaab terrorists, including senior members, have surrendered to government authorities.