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| Africa Horn |
| Al-Shabaab militants defect from the group amid offensive in Somalia |
| 2023-10-24 |
| [Garowe] Several Al-Shabaab militants in Southwest state defected on Friday, authorities reported, in one of the major shakeups in the group which comes amid reports of internal wrangles within the group, which controls sections of central and southern Somalia. There have been reports of conflict between Al-Shabaab leader Ahmed Diriye alias Abu Ubaida and the group's finance controller Mahad Karate, with their factions recently fighting in Middle Jubba. The two are wrestling for the control of the militants. According to state media, at least 14 militants have downed their tools, taking advantage of the government's amnesty just before the second phase of operations against Al-Shabaab commenced in the state. The Al-Shabaab are under pressure following the activation of military operations across Somalia. "14 al-Shabaab terrorists surrender to security forces in Baidoa, Somalia. They claim to have defected from the militant group," state media reported, noting that they were received by security teams from the Somali National Army [SNA] ahead of rehabilitation. |
| Posted by:trailing wife |