1st LD Writethru: Al-Shabaab commander surrenders in central Somalia

A senior Al-Shabaab commander surrendered to Somali army at a village near Galcad town in Galgudud region of central Somalia on Sunday, officials said.

Somali National Army Commander in the region Col. Ahmed Mohamed told reporters that Ahmed Mohamud Afrah accepted amnesty and surrendered to the government.

"He was Al-Shabaab commander in charge of zakawat (levy) collection in this region. He had communication with us and told us that he is planning to leave his militant group," Mohamed said.

"We welcome any one of the terrorist group members defecting and coming to us, but we will fight others who are in insurgency," he added.

Mohamed indicated that some of the militants who expressed their willingness to surrender soon to join peace process under amnesty extended by the government.

The Al-Shabaab commander Afrah said circumstances and fear prompted him to joint the militant group, but had no freedom at all in the group.

"Circumstances and fear from the group led me join the Al-Shabaab fighters and accept to hold such position, but I had no freedom inside the group any time. I decided to accept amnesty offer and join my people and the Somali government forces in order to live in peace and without any worry. I am happy, the government officials welcomed me well," Afrah told journalists.

The group has suffered heavy losses in central Somalia in March as Galmudug forces killed many of the group members and captured over 30 others in a week-long fighting in the region. Endit