Saturday February 15, 2025
Mogadishu (HOL) —A senior Al-Shabaab commander has surrendered to Somali security forces in the Gedo region, officials said Saturday, marking the latest in a growing trend of militant defections.
The Somali National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) presented Abuukar Aadan Buulle in Luuq, where he formally renounced his ties to the militant group. According to security officials, Buulle had been a key figure within Al-Shabaab for several years before deciding to turn himself in.
In an interview, Buulle revealed that he joined Al-Shabaab in 2015 and underwent military training in Wargaduudo village. He later participated in multiple battles across Somalia and held command positions within the group.
“I received training in Wargaduudo and was later deployed in Ceel Cadde, where I served for three years. I have now chosen to leave Al-Shabaab and surrender to the government,“ Buulle said.
Buulle urged his former associates still fighting for Al-Shabaab to abandon the militant group and seek amnesty under the Somali government.
His surrender comes as the Somali government intensifies counterterrorism efforts across the country. In recent months, authorities have reported an increase in defections from Al-Shabaab as military offensives and security crackdowns target the group’s strongholds.
