Jubbaland intelligence agency has released the picture of a high-ranking al Shabaab commanders for Lower Jubba. The man identified as Rayan Sheikh Nur alias Abu Hamza was head of the transport and logistics for al Shabaab in the region.
The surrender comes as the US airstrikes against al Shabaab recently hit targets in the vicinity of Jilib which is the group’s headquarters. The airstrike is a clear indication that the allied troops active in Somalia have been making significant gains in tracking key members of al Shabaab.
Defections from al Shabaab have been a clear indicator of rumored wrangles especially fueled by an apparent restructuring as well as pressure on the group by US and AMISOM troops.
The defector, being in charge of logistics is expected to give valuable intelligence especially in the logistical department that allows al Shabaab to evade troops and ambushes as well as how the group transports its fighters, equipment and especially recently explosives.
