150 Laftagareen-Aligned Fighters Surrender to Somali Army Amid Reconciliation Push

Somalia’s Ministry of Defense announced on Thursday that a former Awdinle district official, Ibrahim Kalaay, and approximately 150 fighters have surrendered to the Somali National Army in Southwest State. The ministry said the militants defected from forces loyal to former Southwest President Abdiaziz Laftagareen, who have been blamed for recent insecurity in the region.

The surrender marks a notable success for federal forces amid ongoing clashes between the Somali National Army, the newly formed Southwest administration, and Laftagareen-aligned groups. The defense ministry described the move as part of a broader plan to strengthen security and reconciliation in South West regions.

“The former commissioner of Awdinle area in Bay region, Ibrahim Kalaay, along with approximately 150 militants, surrendered at different times today,” the ministry stated. It urged other armed groups to lay down their weapons and reintegrate into society, warning that illegal weapons threatening national security will not be tolerated.

Laftagareen’s camp has not commented on the statement. HOL could not independently verify the exact number of fighters who turned themselves in, but the development signals a potential shift in the balance of power in the contested region.

Article and image source: hiiraan.com