Mogadishu Sept 08, 2023 (SD) – The Federal Government of Somalia has confirmed that the largest number of Al-Shabaab members have in recent months surrendered to the Somali Federal Government forces.

The Director of the National Intelligence and Security Agency, Abdullahi Mohamed Nur, told local media that in the past two months, there has been a significant increase in the number of defectors from Al-Shabaab to the government.

Director Abdullahi Mohamed Nur also mentioned that the Al-Shabaab members who surrendered to the government were 107 individuals, including high-ranking officials and militants.

“The National Intelligence and Security Agency is informing the Somali public that in July and August, 107 individuals who were previously part of the extremist group have defected and surrendered, including some of their leaders,” said Abdullahi Mohamed Nur.

He also mentioned that the defectors came from various regions, including areas controlled by Galmudug, Hirshabelle, South West State, and Jubaland.

“All those who have surrendered will be handled according to the government’s amnesty program for defectors from extremist ideologies. The recent increase in defections shows that the number of defectors has significantly risen, including senior members of the group,” said Director Abdullahi Mohamed Nur.

The Director of the National Intelligence and Security Agency, Abdullahi Mohamed Nur, called on Al-Shabaab members to take advantage of opportunities to surrender to the Somali government, as President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s administration offers a welcoming approach to defectors.