Somali troops in mass hunt for 'missing' defected militant

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Somali troops in mass hunt for 'missing' defected militant

MOGADISHU (HOL) – Somalia's security forces have launched a massive manhunt for the capture of a senior militant who accompanied an American fighter during his defection from the AL-Qaeda linked militants before he went into hiding last we

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MOGADISHU (HOL) – Somalia's security forces have launched a massive manhunt for the capture of a senior militant who accompanied an American fighter during his defection from the AL-Qaeda linked militants before he went into hiding last week, officials said Saturday.

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Malik Jones, a U.S. citizen had surrendered to officials near Barawe, about 220km (135 miles) southwest from the capital Mogadishu last week.

According to officials, Mr. Jones told security officials during an interrogation session that another Somali militant accompanied him during his defection, prompting a manhunt which involved intelligence and military officials in the town. The man has since vanished in the town.

The manhunt which extended into Saturday evening has so far yielded no progress, according to officials who are privy with the operation.

It’s unclear if the unidentified militants has backed down his defection decision and returned to rebel-held areas in the region.

Mohamed Shine, a spokesman for Lower Shabelle region’s administration told reporters that troops have sealed off large parts of the town, and started house-to-house searched to arrest the man who is believed to be hiding in the town.

The defections of senior Al-Shabab fighters including foreigners come after the group started hunting pro-ISIS fighters after senior officials pledged allegiance to the group fighting in Iraq and Syria.

The so-called Islamic State group accused Al-Shabab of killing of fighters who defected to its side, including a Sudanese sentenced to death for killing a U.S. diplomat in Khartoum and his driver, according to Associated Press news agency.

A detailed report posted on two ISIS-affiliated websites on Friday said al-Shabab leaders ordered the killing and detention of dozens of jihadis who expressed their willingness to join ISIS. They include Mohamed Makawi, a Sudanese who took part in the drive-by shooting of John Ganville and his driver in Khartoum on Jan. 1, 2008.