Mogadishu (Sunatimes) Thirty Al-shabab fighters have defected from the group during the recent security operations by the government forces and African Union Peace keepers in Mogadishu.

The former Shabab fighters were welcomed to join the government. The government earlier called on youths fighting for Al-shabab to denounce the group and join them.

Sheikh Mohamed Farah Al-Ansari who was among those fighters who presented themselves to the government confirmed to radio Bar-kulan that they left the group after it was defeated in the recent operations by AMISOM and the TFG.

Al-Ansari said the Somali youths fighting for Al-shabab have been cheated by some foreigners fighting for l-shabab. Al-Ansari alleged that the foreigners were new Muslim reverts who were involved in various criminal acts in their countries.

Sheikh Mohamed said he expects the government will creat job opportunities for those youths who defected from Al-shabab.

By Aweys Mohamed