Afraad Movement
| Afraad Movement | |
|---|---|
| Jabhadda Afraad | |
Mohamed Farah Dalmar, also known Mohamed Ali leader of Afraad | |
| Leaders | Mohamed Farah Dalmar Yusuf |
| Dates of operation | 1978–1982 |
| Active regions | Hawd |
| Part of | Somali National Movement (from 1981) |
| Allies | Somali National Movement |
| Opponents | Ethiopia (until 1980) Western Somali Liberation Front Somali Democratic Republic |
| Battles and wars | Afraad Rebellion Somaliland War of Independence |
battles, war.Afraad (The Fourth Brigade) (Somali: Afraad, Arabic: افراد), Also known as Soldiers of Mohamed Ali (Somali: Watatir Maxamed Cali), or The Army of the Islamic Religion (Somali: Jabhadda Ciidanka diinta Islaamka) was one of the major units of the Western Somali Liberation Front and later an Isaaq militant group, aimed at protecting the Isaaq civilians in the Haud area. It was composed of officers originating from Somaliland. Afraad's initial objective was to liberate Somalis living in Somali Region of Ethiopia, but its focus later shifted due to increasing abuses against the north Somali civilian population perpetrated by WSLF. Killing, looting and rape of civilians by WSLF was common from 1978 onwards. This abuse was due to the Somali state employing the Ogadeni subsection of WSLF as a subsidiary militia that would be used to maintain control over the northern regions of Somalia.