The recent analysis published the 26/12/2025 in The Jerusalem Post by Habtom Ghebrezghiaber, a doctoral candidate at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, correctly identifies the strategic pitfalls of Israel’s engagement with the self-declared state of Somaliland. However, while his geopolitical intuition regarding the “backfiring” nature of this move is sound, his foundational understanding of the region’s demographic and clan landscape requires significant academic and factual correction.
For a scholar in the fields of Sociology and Anthropology, precision regarding clan composition and land tenure is not merely a detail, it is the bedrock of the discipline. To speak of the North regions of Somalia (the former British Somaliland Protectorate) without an accurate grasp of its constituent groups is to risk propagating a distorted history that erases the legitimate claims of several major stakeholders.
Correcting the Record: The Three Pillars of the North
Contrary to the simplified narratives often presented in modern media, the “British Protectorate Somaliland” was never a monolith. It was, and remains, a mosaic of three major Somali clan families and several minority groups.
- The Gadaboursi (Samaron)
The Gadaboursi, a prominent branch of the Dir clan, are the historical inhabitants of the Awdal region. Their heritage is deeply rooted in the Adal Empire, with ties to the legendary leader Ahmed Gurey.
☆ Territory: They occupy the Awdal region (Borama, Zaylac, and Lughaya), District of Gabiley, and extend significantly into the Somali region of Ethiopia (Harawa, Dambal, and Aw-Bare which historically known as “Tafari Bar”).
☆ Political Weight: Far from being a fringe group, they are the second-largest clan in the administration. This is evidenced by the longstanding political custom where the Vice-President of the Somaliland administration is consistently drawn from the Gadaboursi.
☆ Legal History: Historical accuracy demands we look at the Gadaboursi Treaties of 1884–1889 (archived at the Oxford Library), which were signed independently with the British, affirming their distinct political identity prior to any colonial amalgamation. - The Isaaq
The Isaaq clan is the most populous group in the central regions of the North. While they are the primary drivers of the secessionist movement, they are part of a broader Dir-related lineage and share the territory with equally historic neighbors. - The Harti (Dhulbahante and Warsangeli)
The Harti clans (part of the Darod family) constitute the third major pillar of the North. They inhabit the Sool, Sanaag, and Cayn (SSC) regions. Their presence is a critical factor in the current geopolitical friction, as large segments of these communities maintain a strong desire for Somali unity rather than secession.
A Breakdown of the Minority Presence
To provide a complete anthropological picture, one must also recognize the minority groups that contribute to the region’s fabric. This includes:
☆ The Issa: While they share the Awdal region, they constitute approximately 2% of its population.
☆ Other Groups: The Gaboye, Madigan, Arab, and Hawiye clans, along with other Dir branches, represent smaller but vital components of the social structure.
Why Facts Matter for Research and Diplomacy:
For Mr. Ghebrezghiaber’s doctoral research to be robust, it must move beyond the “Isaaq-centric” narrative that often dominates Western and Israeli perceptions of the region. Ignoring the Gadaboursi’s historical treaties or the Harti’s territorial claims leads to a “strategic misfire” in academic writing just as much as it does in foreign policy.
“It is a customary duty to share facts with the world, not distorted history. A factual correction does no harm to a researcher; rather, it provides the clarity necessary to reach an authentic conclusion.”
Israel’s foreign policy experts and The Jerusalem Post editorial board must recognize that the “Somaliland” question is not a simple binary of a state seeking recognition. It is a complex negotiation between various clans with distinct colonial-era treaties and divergent visions for the future of the Horn of Africa.
By: BURAALE XINIIN