Al-Shabaab Fighter Surrenders to Somali Forces After 11 Years

GOOBJOOG NEWS| GALGADUD: The Somali government has presented a man who it says surrendered to government and local forces in Galgaduud region after spending 11 years with Al-Shabaab.

Fiidow Hussein Daqarre surrendered to forces based in Ceelgaras, Galgaduud, according to information released by the government.

Daqarre said he decided to leave Al-Shabaab after becoming disillusioned with the group’s ideology and teachings following more than a decade within its ranks.

He said he had also taken advantage of an amnesty offered by the Federal Government of Somalia to Al-Shabaab members who renounce the group and surrender to government authorities.

According to Daqarre, members of the group were taught that the Somali government and those who support it were non-believers who should be fought and punished.

He said his experience over the years led him to reject those teachings, which he described as misleading.

Daqarre urged other Al-Shabaab members to leave the group and take advantage of the government’s offer to surrender and return to civilian life.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has repeatedly called on members of Al-Shabaab and Islamic State-linked groups in Somalia to renounce extremist ideology and surrender, saying those who do so would be given an opportunity to reintegrate into society.

The government has promoted defections as part of its broader campaign against Al-Shabaab, alongside ongoing military operations against the group in central and southern Somalia.