20100722
africanews

Three presidential guards at the Somalia presidential palace joined radical Islamist group Al-Shabab, a senior official in government confirmed. Head of the guards Abdullahi Ali said they were permitted to visit their families but later decided to join the Islamist militia.

Al-Shabab has over the last three days engaged government forces in fierce battle as they advance to strategic points at the presidential palace. They paraded the three converted guards who claim they joined the insurgents to fight African Mission troops in Somalia.

There is growing fear across the horn of Africa as the news broke to the public.

Security analysts warned that danger looms if trusted guards harbor the intention of joining the rebels.