A top Al-Shabaab commander defected on Monday in Jubaland, amid intensive campaigns to vanquish the militants, Somalia's private-owned Radio Garowe has reported.
The defection, one of the biggest so far this year, comes a week after UN Panel of Experts reported that the group has abandoned charcoal trade, which almost put UN and KDF at loggerheads.
Riyaani Sheikh Nur has been coordinating Al-Shabaab transportation in Jubaland, a state that borders Kenya, where the KDF troops are stationed.
According to Radio Garowe, Mr Nur surrendered to Somali National Army, and would now be integrated with members of the society.
"A senior al-Shabaab commander Riyaani Sheikh Nur makes a surprise move, ditching the group and surrendered to Somali troops in Jubbaland. He was in charge of the transport during his life in the militant group," Radio Garowe tweeted.
Al-Shabaab militants have been a menace in Jubaland, despite Kenya's effort to work with regional President Sheikh Ahmed Madobe, who participated in the liberation of Kismayo in 2012.
During Madobe's inauguration last month, National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale noted the importance of the state in Kenya's security arrangements.
“Jubaland is the buffer for the whole of East African region and Kenya congratulates President Madobe for being in the forefront in the fight against terrorism,” Duale said as quoted by Daily Nation.
Incidentally, the defection comes at the time Jubaland is accusing Ethiopia and Federal Government of Somalia of sabotaging the local administration.
"The illegal intervention of the forces at the behest of and in collision with FGS is already impacting on security, political stability and unity of Jubaland," Jubaland authorities told the UN on Friday.
KDF team mans Sectors 6 and 2 in Jubaland state.
Kenya is set to tentatively withdraw her troops from Somalia in 2021 after the Horn of Africa's nation goes to polls.