Mogadishu (KAAB TV) – The Federal Government of Somalia announced the capture of a senior Al-Shabaab commander who defected from the militant group after reportedly growing disillusioned with its harsh conditions and lack of support in the forests where the militants hide.
Brigadier General Ibrahim Yusuf, speaking to the National Media, confirmed that the man taken into custody is Mohamed Amin, widely known within Al-Shabaab by his alias “The Afghan Poet.”
According to General Yusuf, Mohamed Amin had been leading approximately 60 fighters before deciding to abandon the group and surrender to government forces.
The general stated that Mohamed Amin defected under the cover of night, eventually reaching the Wargadhi area, where Somali National Army (SNA) units were stationed.
Upon surrendering, the former commander expressed deep regret over his years with Al-Shabaab and revealed that the inhumane living conditions, constant pressure, and lack of medical or humanitarian care in the militant camps pushed him to defect.
“Mohamed Amin told us that life within Al-Shabaab was unbearable,” said General Yusuf. “He suffered from hunger, exhaustion, and mistreatment.
He realized that the group’s leadership did not care about the well-being of its fighters. These conditions led him to abandon the organization and seek refuge with the Somali government.”
General Yusuf praised the security forces for their continued operations against the extremist group and urged other Al-Shabaab members to take advantage of the government’s ongoing amnesty program, which offers militants the opportunity to surrender peacefully and reintegrate into Somali society.
“The Federal Government welcomes anyone willing to renounce violence and rejoin their communities,” the general added. “Our goal is to rebuild a peaceful and united Somalia, free from the threat of terrorism.”
The government’s counterinsurgency efforts have intensified in recent months, with security forces conducting targeted operations across several regions aimed at weakening Al-Shabaab’s influence.
The defection of figures like Mohamed Amin is seen as a significant blow to the group’s morale and a sign that its internal cohesion is deteriorating under sustained military and social pressure.