Puntland applauds Atom for defecting from Al Shabab

the President of Puntland regional State Abdiweli Mohamed Ali Gaas

Hiiraan Online
Sunday, June 8, 2014

The semiautonomous Somali regional state of Puntland has welcomed the move by former Al Shabab leader in the Puntland region Sheikh Mohamed Said Mohamed (Atom) who surrendered to Somali government on Saturday.

Sheik Atom said he broke with Al Shabab, embraced peace and will work for the interest of Somali people.

He also requested Somali people to forgive him for his past mistakes and crimes he committed against Somalis.

In reaction to Atom’s surrendering, the President of Puntland regional State Abdiweli Mohamed Ali Gaas said that Atom’s decision to defect was a great defeat for Al Shabab who now seems to be disassembling.

Mr. Gaas did not say whether Atom will be held in Mogadishu or if the Puntland administration will ask the federal government for his extradition, but emphasized that Atom’s defection shows that Al Shabab was nearing its end.

Sheik Atom accused his former group of working for the interest of foreigners although he didn’t mention who were the foreigners involved in Al Shabab.

HOL English News Desk

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