Former Al-Shabaab deputy leader surrenders in Somalia

Mogadishu Aug 13 (IANS) Former Al-Shabaab deputy leader Mukhtar Robow on Sunday defected to the Somalia security forces following a bitter fight with militants in Abal location an official said.

Officials said Robow who is from the large Rahanweyn clan which dominates many of Somalia s most fertile areas arrived in government-controlled town of Hudur in Somalia southwest State forces earlier in the day Xinhua news agency reported.

Confirming the news Minister of Internal Security Hassan Hussein Mohamed said: "Al-Shabaab militants wanted to kill Robow but we gave him military help and repulsed the Al-Shabaab fighters. Robow is now in Hudur town with southwest State officials."

Robow s surrender comes after weeks of deadly fighting between Al-Shabaab militants and his militia backed by Somalian security forces.

He left the militant group in 2013 and retreated to his homeland over a disagreement on using foreign fighters in the group.

Before his disagreement with the group Robow was declared wanted terrorist by the US in June 2012 with a $5 million bounty placed on his head.

Analysts say his defection is a big blow to Al-Shabaab due to which it will certainly lose all South of Somalia due to Robow s influence there.

--IANS
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