17 October 2021 – Liban Hassan
The command of the Somali National Army’s the 60th Division operating in the areas under the control of the South West State of Somalia has revealed an officer who is said to be a member of Al-Shabaab fighters has surrendered.
Mohamed Kulow Ali, an al-Shabaab operative operating in Bakol region in southwestern Somalia, has surrendered to government forces.
Officials from the 60th Division Command who spoke to the media said that the officer who surrendered was armed with an Ak47 rifle and was one of the most popular Al-Shabaab officials in Bakol region.
On numerous occasion officials from the 60th Division Command have presented officials and members of the Al Shabaab militants who have defected to the Somali Army, whilst at the same time Al Shabaab have also presented members of the Somali Armed forces who they say have defected to them.
There was no immediate word from al-Shabaab fighters about the officer, who said the 60th command had defected from al-Shabaab and surrendered to the Somali government.