By Shire Abdi - Reporter
Somalia, 27 January 2026 Somalia’s Defence Minister, Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, said on Tuesday that more than 60 Al Shabaab fighters are surrendering to government forces each month.
Fiqi told a news conference in Mogadishu that senior members of the group, which the government often refers to as Khawaarij, had begun seeking contact with authorities and requesting amnesty.
“Some senior Khawaarij are making contact, they want forgiveness. This is after realizing they could no longer withstand the blows and had no place to hide. The government is determined to eliminate the group. We welcome these contacts and extend them to the government authorities,” Fiqi said.
More from Somalia
He added that more than 60 fighters, including commanders and rank-and-file members, had surrendered to government forces over the past month.
“We are telling them to return to their communities and to the people and government they once opposed,” he said.
Somalia has increased military operations against Al Shabaab over the past year with support from local militias and international partners.
More from Somalia
Legal Challenge Filed to Halt Sale of Government Shares in Safaricom
Jan 27, 2026
News
Read more →
Kenya’s GBV Taskforce Proposes Chemical 'Fix' and Legal Reforms to Tackle Child Sexual Abuse
Jan 27, 2026
News
Read more →
Ethiopia Taps AI to Fight Financial Crimes, Transforming Financial Crime Detection and National Security
Jan 27, 2026
News
Read more →