BAIDOA, Somalia – The Somali army paraded two alleged militants who surrendered outside Baidoa city after defecting from Al-Shabaab, Al-Qaeda’s East Africa ally.
The two young fighters armed with AK-47s received a welcome at a military base in the Goofgaduud Buurey area, about 30Kms north of Baidoa. The commander of the 47th brigade of the army Ahmed Mohamed was present at the site of the surrender.
In their first interview, the two militants said they decided to defect after making contact with members of the Somali military, who assured them of protection from being harmed or killed.
Robow Abdiyow and Nurow Tukow are expected to be sent to a rehabilitation center before being allowed to return to society, according to the defector policy.
The defectors were active Al-Shabaab fighters and participated in several battles after receiving training in Bu’ale town, the headquarters of the Middle Jubba region.
The Somali government said it offered amnesty to the militants who wanted to live in peace and denounced their ideology.
HORN LIFE
