SUMMARY

The Bi’idyahan is a subclan of the Majeerteen clan, while the Makahil (Ismail) is a subclan of the Ogaden clan. In turn, the Majeerteen and Ogaden clans are both subclans of the Darod clan. Both inhabit the Somali National Regional State (SNRS) in Ethiopia, where the Ogaden clan constitutes the large majority, which has allegedly led to fears of Ogadeni domination among other clans in the region.

There is little information available on the relationship between Bi’idyahan](/#actor/709) and Makahil (Ismail) in the SNRS, but analysts note that the introduction of ethnic federalism has led to numerous conflicts over resources and border delimitations among clans and subclans in the region. Whereas the mostly pastoral communities in the Somali region have traditionally been quite mobile with few fixed borders, the new arrangement requires the delineation of districts and Kebeles (the smallest administrative unit), and this has led to groups scrambling to claim areas and resources for themselves, sometimes escalating into armed clashes. Shilabo district, where Bi’idyahan and Makahil (Ismail) is active in the area and frequently clashes with the government. Reportedly, conflicts between different subclans are also common, usually over access to land and resources. Furthermore, large deposits of unexploited natural gas are known to exist in the district, the ownership and control of which has been contested. As a result of the ONLF presence as well as the legacy of past wars in the area, there is a large amount of weapons in the area, and conflicts between subclans sometimes escalate into deadly clashes. Ogaden subclans Makahil (Ismail) and Bah Gerri are in the majority in the area.

The non-state conflict between the Bi’idyahan subclan of Majerteen clan (Darod) and the Islamil subclan of Makahil clan (Darod) is first included in the UCDP data in 2003. During that year, clashes over control of the village Gohweyne led to well over 25 battle-related deaths.