Somalia has secured a landmark agreement with a para-military group several thousand fighters strong. It opens a new chapter in the fight against al-Shabaab. The Sunni fighters were the first Somali group to go it alone against al-Shabaab -- and win. CGTN's Abdulaziz Billow reports from central Somalia.

After their morning rituals - these soldiers parade to meet their president. They call themselves Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jama'ah - a paramilitary group consisting of hundreds of loyal troops - opposed to the radical beliefs of Al-Shabaab. These forces have made remarkable progress on the ground seizing massive territory in central Somalia from the group. Today - they pledge their allegiance to Somalia's President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo - who has promised to strengthen their capability.

MOHAMED ABDULLAHI FARMAJO SOMALI PRESIDENT "As a reward for the efforts you have made - we will repay you by integrating you all into the national armed force and play an important role in defeating Al-Shabaab. God willing we will provide you with everything you need including logistical support, promotion of ranks and take care of all those wounded in the quest to liberate Somalia."

In a show of might the forces parade in the central Somali town of Dhuusamareeb - it seized this town from Al-Shabaab almost a decade ago - repelling any kind of attacks since then.

ABDULAZIZ BILLOW DHUUSAMAREEB, SOMALIA "These are the first locally trained Somali forces who've managed to fight and overpower militant group Al-Shabaab - the government wants to integrate them into the national army so as to boost its strength in the fight against the militant group".

SHEIKH MOHAMED SHAKIR LEADER, AHLUS SUNNAH WAL JAMA'AH "These forces began fighting the terrorists Al-Shabaab on their own accord - we are happy with your visit to our military base because we want support and encouragement in the fight against Al-Shabaab - there is no rest for us until we eliminate them all".

Ahlu Sunnah is today joining ranks with Galmudug a regional state in central Somalia - the government brought the two sides to an agreement that will among others see the inclusion of the group's members into the regional government.

Khalif Abdulkadir Maalim Nur is Ahlu Sunnah's former military group commander and now serves a state minister in the office of the president - he says that both the regional and the federal government will benefit from this new agreement.

KHALIF ABDULKADIR MAALIM MINISTER IN THE PRESIDENCY "We are here with Ahlu Sunnah and Galmudug united, and I hope that if this is implemented - the force that we have in this area can liberate the whole country - not only this area - they are very strong forces - they are known to this and they are only force in Somalia liberated areas without AMISOM".

Its an ideological battle for survival - Ahlu Sunnah is supported by the vast majority of the public - but Al-Shabaab seeks to overthrow the central government and impose strict version of Islam in Somalia - but these forces say that will never happen as long as they are here. AB, CGTN, Dhuusamareb - in Central Somalia.