Al-Shabab foreign fighter surrenders himself to Authorities

Al-Shabab foreign fighter has surrendered himself to Somali government, official said.

American born believed to have been fighting alongside Al-Shabab fighters, has given himself up in government officials in Barawe town.

Barawe district commissioner, Hussein Mohamed Barre has disclosed the surrender of the man.

“We caught a man whose body complexion was white with a long beard. Upon interrogating him, he told us that he had escaped from Al-Shabaab and was willing to surrender to the Somali Government. He has identified his nationality as an American citizen.”

It is unclear if the man whose name was not mentioned, had still been active within Al-Shabab in recent months or weeks, or if he was among a large group of commanders who had already fallen out with the group after some members declared allegiance to ISIS.

The surrender brings some welcome news for Somalia’s internationally backed government as well as the African Union’s AMISOM force, who have been facing an almost constant wave of attacks from Al-Shabab despite recent territorial gains in the south and center of the Horn of Africa nation.

Earlier last month, Al-shabaab’s amniyaat wing has reportedly kidnapped five foreign members of the terror after raiding their homes in Jilib.

It was not clear why the five were arrested by the militants in their strong hold town of Middle Jubba.

Sources however say the five are facing allegations of encouraging their colleagues to join ISIS, a move recently declined by Al-shabaab