The Devastating Effects of the Ahmed Gurey Wars on Dir

In the 1400, the Christian Ethiopians attacked Muslim lands in Harrar, Haud, and as far as Zeila. The Dir which was the most powerful Muslim group confronted the Christian menance. The wars which lasted for hundreds of years destroyed many Dir Kingdoms including the Ifat and Awdal (Cadale) kingdoms. Which were ruled by a mixture of Dir and Afar-Adaris kings and produce the Dir Imam Axmed Ibrahim Geesi or Axmed Gurey and the greated Somali General Said Samaroone who was in charge of all the military operations of the Somalis in the hinterland of Somalia. Many Dir groups dispersed and fled South, West, and East into Somalia in this era. Many fled to Amuud in Northern Somalia and letter when Amuud was destroyed by the Amhara and they occupied Zaile killing the Dir King Shihab Din at Zaila Island were he is buried.

Imam Said Samroone lived in 1432 AD, when the Amhara crusaders conquered Somalia. Iman Said was the Muslim leader who led the Mandaluug Dir and when the imam was later fighting in the Western flank of the Guurey army he was injured at Dardarley.

The name Gadabuursi was given to his descendents at the last critical moment before he made a final stand to the Amhara at the mandaluug ancestral homeland of Amuud which the Amharas destroyed over 50,000 homes where excavated recently and the place was leveled with the ground 10, 000 thousands perished. At this dark moment, many Dir groups were dispersed all over Somalia and many powerful Dir kingdoms in Western Somalia and present day Ethiopia perished.


The name Gaada Biirsay means the one who collected the army or "chests" the name referred to the desperate effort of imam Samaroon Said to collect and muster the power of his kinsman against the infidels. Gaado means chest( shafka ama xabadka gaada ha i saarin oo kale).

The Gadabuursi latter suffered a devastating defeat and actually the present day Amuud which has a old cementary called Lafaruug was destroyed by the Amhara King. Also note, it was this period that the King Shihad a Diin buried in Zailac Island was killed. The Gudabuursi Dir and Issa Modoobe Dir never recovered from these devastating blows. They moved west while others moved to the North West. Many Dir groups moved from the North-West and towards the South.

For example, the Suure Dir have strong traditions that point to their arrival from West (Galbeed) in this era and they claim they lived in close proximity with the Issas. Also the Bimaal Dir vividly describe how their territories were once adjacent to the Issa and Isaaq. As a matter of fact, a whole branch of the Bimaal called the Gadsan still lives in the North West amongst the Ogaden and Habar Yonis. Moreover, many Mandaluug Dir from the Boorame region migrated to the South and today live among the Surre Dir and Bimaal.

Another Mohamed Hiniftire group, the Barsuug was similarly destroyed in the era of Ahmed Gurey wars.

The Magadle Dir were completely destroyed, except for the 10,000 or saw that survive in Cerigaabo. The Issas Madoobe Dir moved further west and north into Afar regions they installed a Madaxweyn Dir dynasty, the Wardiiq who was the ruling remnants of the Madaxeyn. Madigan, Gurgure and the Barsuug Dir fled west and were encircled by the Oromos- Many assimilated and the union formed a half cast Jarso.

The Isaaq Dir reconstituted as Maxamed (Axmed Xiniftire) new Habar alliences formed the Nacadoor,Mikidoor,Nabidoor and the Idoor all disappeared.


The Madaluug in Southren Somalia and the Biyamaal as well as The Fiq's Suure all point their Southern movement from Amuud region in the 1600's during the Axmed Guurey era. The Suure Dir who are as a matter of fact still in Hauda region and whom refer them self's as Fiqi's where the Her or sheikh associated with Awbarre/Buube/ Yusuf Barkad kowniin students who entered Mudug region at the time when the Ajuuran ruled at mereg and some served as Imams under one malakh Gareenow Xaasey.

The Suure Fiqi's, Biyamaal, Guure, and the Badimaal all entered the south. The Biyamal claim to have entered the Banadir area, a name meaning beynka direeb, in 1700's.

The Gurgure/Akisho cluster and reminders of Madaxweyn Dir conquered the Dira Dhabe " meeshu Diri Dhabe" ama waranka ka taagay. The Gurgure which is not their real name (Gurgure means trader hence the word Gorgortan - to bargain)