Sakariya Ismail Hersi is a former high-ranking member of Al-Shabaab, a militant group in Somalia. He was the head of intelligence and part of the group's leadership before surrendering to Somali authorities in December 2014.[1] His surrender was seen as a significant blow to Al-Shabaab, as he was one of the most wanted members of the group, with a bounty placed on his head by the U.S. government.[2]
After his defection, Hersi expressed his willingness to cooperate with the Somali government and work towards peace. His move was seen as a sign of internal divisions within Al-Shabaab and a potential pathway for encouraging more defections from the group. His case was notable in Somalia's efforts to weaken the militant group from within.[3]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Al-Shabab militant Zakariya Ahmed Ismail Hersi 'surrenders'". BBC News. 2014-12-27. Retrieved 2024-09-16.
- ^ "Somali defector: Why I left al-Shabab". BBC News. 2015-05-19. Retrieved 2024-09-16.
- ^ "Al-Shabab intelligence chief says he is quitting". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2024-09-16.