Geri Koombe

Statue of Ahmed Gurey (Ahmad ibn Ibrihim al-Ghazi)

To firstly begin there was a direct famlial tie between the Geri koombe and the imam ahmed, the imam had given his sister Fardawsa to the chieftain of Geri Koombe who was Garad Matan ibn Uthman Al Somali. thus making him the brother in law of he imam. The closest person to the imam. Moreover, the Geri koombe were one of the earliest to accept the call of jihad.[1]

Tribe of Girri who came up. Their chieftain was Matan bin Uthman bin Khaled, the Somali. They showed off their weaponry and armour, paraded their horses and had their bows slung sash-like over their shoulders as they met the imam face to face. He commanded them then to go ahead to a place called Sim. Their chieftain had brought with him his wife, Fardusa, the sister of the imam Ahmad. And he set out ahead, he and his army.[1]

In the Battle of Amba Sel the chieftain of Geri, Garad Matan Bin Uthman was martyred. When the imam heard of the news of the death of his brother in law he cried becoming emotional he said the Islamic Istirja 'for verily we belong to Allah and we will return to him. The imam had prayed for him.[1]

The companions of Garad Ahmusa who had been routed, reached the imam on the day of his march against the Amba. They informed him about what had happened. He was saddened on account of his brother-in-law Mattan, said the prayer Truly to God we belong, and unto Him do we return, and wept.[1]

The Geri Koombe were one of the earliest to accept the call of jihad. They have also produced notable military commanders such as Garad Matan ibn Uthman Al Somali who was the brother in law of the imam, a knight serving under Adal Sultanate who then later progressed to becoming a military commander leading the Somali units in battle. The Geri koombe were all renowned as horsemen.[1]

He also sent a messenger to the tribe of Girri which was the tribe whose leader and chieftain was Mattan bin 'Utman bin Kaled, the Somali, his brother-in-law who was one of the heroic and gracious knights who died asa martyr in the battle for the Amba as will be recalled at some length later on.[1] The storyteller, may God have mercy upon him, says: On the left was the Somali tribe of Harti, from the people of Mait; a people not given to yielding. There were three-hundred of them, famous among the infantry as stolid swordsmen. In the same way there was the tribe of Yibberi, around four-hundred infantrymen, archers. So the imam attached them to the five-hundred who held the centre, saying to them, 'Hold your positions; don't budge, anyone of you.' The tribe of Girri were all horsemen, renowned as riders.[1]

In the Battle Of Badeqe also known as Battle of Shimbra Kure the Geri tribe produced a mighty army, this was one of the most bloodiest battles which tested the Muslims in the battle. The imam had then organised his troops in preparation, like previously mentioned the Geri Koombe tribe produced the most in this battle.[1]

Then he [the imam] tied a red standard to a spear and entrusted it to his brother-in-law Mattan bin 'Uthman bin Khaled, the Somali, their chieftain, their knight, and the most courageous, the bravest of them all. There rallied to him one-hundred-and-ten knights and three-thousand infantry, along with the tribe of Harti, the tribe of Jairan and the tribe of Mazra, all of whom were Somalis.[1]

The Geri Koombe tribe played a pivotal role in leadership, leading many of the Somali units in battle. this was due to the fact that the chieftain of Geri Koombe had direct familial ties with the imam. Garad Matan ibn Uthman Al Somali was described explicitly as one of the most bravest and courageous military commanders in Adal sultanate. The imam had then gathered all the Somali tribes and entrusted it to his brother in law Garad Matan ibn Uthman Al Somali.[1]

So, after that, the Muslims stood their ground. The tribe of the Somali said it was the tribe of Harla that gave us away while the tribe of Harla said it was the Somali tribe that gave us away The imam split his forces into three divisions: all the Somalis were in one division whose command he entrusted to Mattan;[1]

The Geri Koombe tribe played a pivotal role in leadership, leading many of the Somali units in battle. this was due to the fact that the chieftain of Geri Koombe had direct familial ties with the imam. Garad Matan ibn Uthman Al Somali was described explicitly as one of the most bravest and courageous military commanders in Adal Sultanate. The imam had then gathered all the Somali tribes and entrusted it to his brother in law Garad Matan ibn Uthman Al Somali.[1]

The idol worshipers that were fighting alongside the Abyssinians did a surprise attack on the Muslims in particular the camp of Garad Matan ibn Uthman Al Somali, the idol worshipers crept on the Muslims and shot their arrows in the vicinity of Garad Matan ibn Uthman Al Somali. Matan had then mounted on his horse pushed the idol worshipers away all the way back to the mountains. none of the arrows had hit the Muslims.[1]

The storyteller, may Almighty God have mercy upon him, says: When a quarter of the night had passed, there was a surprise attack on the perimeter of the camp by the idol-worshippers who had fought the Muslims on the terrace of the mountain. They shot their arrows into the area where Mattan the Somali was. He mounted his horse and put them to flight in the dark until he drove them back up the mountain. Then he returned to his camp. None of arrows hit the Muslims.[1]

• Garad Matan ibn Uthman Al Somali
• Garad Aden
• Garad Abdiqani
• Garad Ismail
• Garad Ali
• Suldaan Mohammed Sheikh Hassan Wa'di
• Garad Shabeel
• Suldaan Ali Sheikh Ahmed
• Ugaas Abdirahman Ismail
• ugaas Abdiqadir sheikh mohamed bile
• Ugaas Abdisalam jamac farah Qawte

• Garad Matan Ibn Uthman Al Somali
• Col Hassan Midowe
• Col Mohamed Haji Abib
• Col Mohamed Ibrahim Seraar
• Col Ali Sheikh Ahmed
• Col Mohamed Sheikh Abdullahi
• Col Ali Sheikh 26th Division Bohotle

• Abdikarim Buh Secretary General of the federal parliament of somalia
• Faisal Abdi Roble Los Angles City Planner
• Fadumo Hassan Aden Mp of Jubbaland