Al-Shabaab commander surrenders to SNA troops in central Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia - An Al-Shabaab commander surrendered on Sunday in central Somalia, a top official said, in what has been termed as "dramatic" success for government forces, who have been unleashing against the militants.

Bishar Mumin Afrah defected from the Al-Qaida linked group before surrendering to Somali National Army [SNA] troops in Hiran region in central Somalia within the troubled HirShabelle state, reports indicate.

Gen. Ahmed Mohamed Tredishe, the SNA commander in the region, told reporters that the militant showed up to authorities in Bulaburde town, where he handed his AK-47 rifle to government forces.

Mumin, Gen. Tredishe said, had been leading operations against the government forces in the region and had been identified as one of the most wanted operatives for perpetrating crimes against civilians.

“Afrah deserted Al-Shabaab and surrendered to SNA, carrying with him two AK47 assault rifles and several rounds of ammunition which are now in our possession,” he told reporters, adding that, "this is a major win for us in army and Somalis."

The army commander asked Al-Shabaab militants to down their weapons and surrender to authorities for repatriation, adding that the federal government has traditionally helped a number of defectors to settle down and lead normal lives.

“The government will offer pardon to Al-Shabaab fighters who renounce the jihadist ideology, therefore we call on these misled youths to stop violence,” he added, without delving into details on where the defector will be held before being released.

His defection came just hours after Puntland forces with help from SNA, killed Mohamed Hassan Farah, another highly sought Al-Shabaab militant within Galkayo town in central Somalia. The militant was killed on Saturday, according to authority.

SNA troops have been leading the onslaught against the Al-Shabaab in recent months, targeting mainly central and southern Somalia, where the group controls large swathes. The operations are often backed by US Africa Command and troops from AMISOM.

For instance, the troops fought with Al-Shabaab on Saturday within Hudur District in Southern Somalia, in operations which targeted several villages within the Bakol region, according to army chief Gen. Odowaa Yusuf Rageh.

Although initial reports indicated that only eleven militants were killed, Gen. Odawaa told state media later on Sunday that the death toll had hit 37, the highest number to have been killed since the operations were launched in March.

The military chief said his troops had received intelligence from civilians before raiding the hideouts. Initial reports indicated that no government soldier was killed during the encounter in Bakol.

“Our forces inflicted severe casualties on the militants, killing 37 of them, including the militants’ leader in Hudur area,” Rageh said, adding that the army also recovered weapons from the militants, among them IEDs and AK 47 rifles.

Al-Shabaab has continued to suffer massive losses in recent months, leading to defections that are mainly engineered by the onslaught by the SNA troops and allied forces, who have intensified operations with the full backing from the UN.

Besides the unending airstrikes and ground combats, the militants are also said to be severely affected by the depleted finances and persistent internal wrangles, involving their leader Ahmed Omar Diriye and his deputy Mahad Karate, per intelligence reports.

GAROWE ONLINE