ASWJ commander in Mahas district, Saney Mohamud Farah confirmed the defection of the five to Sunatimes adding that they were warmly received.

He said that the fighters were from Mokokori village and Bula-burte district respectively.

One of the renegades claimed the reason they gave themselves up to the government was largely due to the dire living conditions under al-Shabaab militants.

They have surrendered after negotiating with TFG officials in the district for few days seeking amnesty, he added.

The men were also said to have defected with AK-47s and grenades.

There have been massive defections from al-Shabaab fighters in central Somalia since the TFG, AMISOM and ASWJ intensified their offensive against the group.