MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) -At least seven members of Galmudug’s regional paramilitary forces have defected to the Islamist militant group Al-Shabaab in central Somalia’s Galgaduud region, Caasimada Online news website reported on Saturday.
The defectors were part of a recent cohort of the Darwish paramilitary unit, whose graduation ceremony from a military training academy was attended by Galmudug regional President Ahmed Abdi Kariye, also known as Qoorqoor.
According to sources in the region, the soldiers arrived in the Al-Shabaab-controlled town of El Garas, where they were reportedly received by the group’s local commanders. The militants are believed to have facilitated their defection and ensured their safe passage into the area.
It remains unclear what prompted the group defection or how the soldiers – freshly graduated from formal training – were able to leave undetected.
Al-Shabaab, an Al-Qaeda-linked militant group, has long sought to exploit vulnerabilities within Somali security structures. The group is known to welcome defectors from government forces, often offering protection and financial incentives, including payment for weapons and equipment brought by those who switch sides.
This incident is the latest in a series of defections from Somali security forces to the insurgent group. Over the past year, dozens of personnel from various regions and paramilitary units are believed to have defected to Al-Shabaab, raising concerns over morale, loyalty, and the effectiveness of vetting and oversight mechanisms within Somali national and regional forces.
Security analysts warn that such defections not only bolster the group’s operational capacity but also undermine ongoing counter-insurgency efforts in Somalia.
Neither Galmudug state officials nor the Somali federal government have publicly commented on the latest defection.
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