A ranking member of the Al-Shabaab group has surrendered in Somalia, with the Somali National Army (SNA) intensifying operations against the group, which is fighting to topple the fragile UN-backed federal government of Somalia.

The SNA soldiers are working closely with the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) contingent and the US Africa Command. The team has managed to liberate several strategic towns across the Horn of Africa nation.

According to reports, Sidow Ali Ibrahim heeded calls by government forces to surrender and was now joining other militia members who recently surrendered at Galmudug and have agreed to join the government’s rehabilitation program before being allowed back to the general public.

Mudug region is usually a hotbed for Al-Shabaab militants and previously, the army has managed to flush out members of the group from Harardhere District. The al-Shabaab militants, however, keep on recapturing the strategic town.

Reports from members of the security teams show that Ibrahim was identified as being a leader of the group in the Mudug region before moving to the Barag Ali-Gadud area in the Haradhere district. He plans dangerous attacks against civilians and security teams.

Within Southwest and Galmudug states, the number of al-Shabaab members renouncing violent extremism has increased, further confirming the positive impact made in the fight against the group, whose presence in central and southern regions is still noticeable.

The al-Shabaab militants have been carrying retaliatory attacks in different parts of the country but they seem to be overwhelmed following activation of military operations against them. The government had granted amnesty to those willing to surrender.