An al-Shabaab fighter on Wednesday surrendered to Somali security forces in town in Bay in region, southern Somalia, officials said.
Military officials in the Qansah-dhere town told media that the fighter identified as Mohamed Abdi Hassan turned himself in to the authorities following contact by relative.
“Al-Shabab fighter defected from the group and surrendered to us here in this town,” SNA officials confirmed.
The officials said they would welcome anyone of the group fighters or commanders who decides to defect and accept amnesty offered by the government.
“We welcomed him well and we will also welcome others leaving the terrorist network,” said the military.
The defector who was paraded has lauded the security forces for welcoming him, adding that there were more al-Shabaab fighters who are planning to defect.
There was no immediate comment from the militant group on the latest defections from its group.
The defection comes amid Somali and US governments intensified operations against al-Shabaab fighters in central and south Somalia.
