Defence HQs Says 150 Defectors, Including Former Local Administrator, Surrender to Somali National Army

GOOBJOOG NEWS|BAY: Nearly 150 militia members, including former Awdiinle administrator Ibrahim Kalaay, have surrendered to the Somali National Army in South West State after defecting from an armed group that the Federal Government accuses of fueling insecurity in Bay Region, the Ministry of Defence said on Wednesday.

According to the ministry, the group surrendered at different times to Somali National Army units operating in South West State. It said the defectors had broken away from a militia led by Abdiaziz Laftagareen, which it accused of carrying out acts of insecurity in parts of Bay Region in recent days.

The Ministry of Defence said the latest defections demonstrate what it described as growing confidence among local communities and armed groups in the Federal Government and the Somali National Army as they continue efforts to restore peace and stability.

Government officials said they would continue encouraging armed groups to renounce violence, lay down their weapons, and join the country’s ongoing peace and national reconciliation process.