Spokesman for the African Union forces deployed in Somalia, Col. Ali Adan Hamud, said that the agents who surrendered were equipped with their weapons had decided to give up fighting for Al Shabaab and join government forces.
"These Al Shabaab agents renounced their allegiance with the terrorist group and decided to join the government forces.
"We are welcoming this decision by the militants and we are providing their security," continued Col. Hamud.
a video report from ALJAZEERA:
The spokesman also stated that reports that said the agents were actually civilians who were looking to join the battle in the Middle Shabelle region by surrendering to the allied forces were false.
"The 200 agents who surrendered included two Al Shabaab officials, we welcome anyone separating from Al Shabaab and we will protect them," said Col. Hamud.
Al Shabaab did not comment on the agents who split from the organization on Sunday.
The split by the 200 Al Shabaab agents follows a string of attacks by Al Shabaab in Mogadishu as a new Somali President was elected earlier this month.
Last Thursday Al Shabaab agents strapped with explosives attacked a restaurant in a Mogadishu killing14 people and shelled a residential neighborhood the night before.
On Saturday a member of the new federal parliament Mustafa Haji was gunned down after evening prayers near his home in Mogadishu.
Security analysts say that the recent insecurity in Mogadishu is due serious infiltration by Al Shabaab in Mogadishu even stemming all way to top security and military officials.
from allAfrica/Garowe Online
23 September 2012
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photos:
Defected members of Islamist militant group al Shabaab stand after giving themselves up to the African Union AMISOM forces in Garsale, approximately 10km from the town of Jowhar, 80km north of Mogadishu, in this September 22, 2012 handout picture made available by the African Union-United Nations Information Support Team on September 23, 2012. Islamist rebels said they shot dead a Somali lawmaker in Mogadishu on Saturday and threatened to kill every legislator in the country. The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) force said, however, there were signs of deepening internal rifts within al Shabaab. More than 200 rebels defected near the town of Jowhar on Saturday, AMISOM said. *******/AU-UN IST/Abukar Albadri/Handout
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Defected members of Islamist militant group al Shabaab stand after turning themselves in to the African Union AMISOM forces in Garsale, approximately 10km from the town of Jowhar, 80km north of Mogadishu, in this September 22, 2012 handout picture made available by the African Union-United Nations Information Support Team on September 23, 2012. Islamist rebels said they shot dead a Somali lawmaker in Mogadishu on Saturday and threatened to kill every legislator in the country. The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) force said, however, there were signs of deepening internal rifts within al Shabaab. More than 200 rebels defected near the town of Jowhar on Saturday, AMISOM said. *******/AU-UN IST/Abukar Albadri/Handout---
A senior commanding officer (front L) of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) shakes hands with a defected commander (front R) of Islamist militant group al Shabaab after members gave themselves up to AMISOM forces in Garsale, approximately 10km from the town of Jowhar, 80km north of Mogadishu, in this September 22, 2012 handout picture made available by the African Union-United Nations Information Support Team on September 23, 2012. Islamist rebels said they shot dead a Somali lawmaker in Mogadishu on Saturday and threatened to kill every legislator in the country. The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) force said, however, there were signs of deepening internal rifts within al Shabaab. More than 200 rebels defected near the town of Jowhar on Saturday, AMISOM said. *******/AU-UN IST/Abukar Albadri/Handout
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