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Al-Shabaab arrested on Sunday (March 18th) US-born member Omar Hamami, better known as Abu Mansoor al-Amriki, following a public dispute over the group's strategies, Somalia's Shabelle Media Network reported.

Hamami posted a video on several Somali websites and YouTube on Saturday, saying that his life is in danger from his fellow militants. He was reportedly arrested in his home in southern Somalia.

"I record this message today because I feel that my life may be endangered by Harakat al-Shabaab al-Mujahideen due to some differences that occurred between us regarding matters of the Sharia and matters of the strategy," Hamami said in the video.

Hamami is seen as a key leader for foreign fighters in the group, which he joined in 2006.

Following the video release, al-Shabaab expressed "surprise" and denied that Hamami's life was in jeopardy, AFP reported.

"We assure our Muslim brothers that #AlAmriki is not endangered by the Mujahideen &our brother still enjoys all the privileges of brotherhood," the group's press office announced on its Twitter page.

The video adds weight to reports of growing divisions within al-Shabaab, which faces pressure on three fronts by regional forces and pro-government forces.

Al-Shabaab commanders have provided no further details about the arrest.