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The Digil Salvation Army: A Forgotten Chapter in the Security Landscape of Somalia
The Digil Salvation Army (DSA) was a clan-based militia formed to protect the Digil communities in Lower Shabelle, Somalia, against aggressions from rival groups and militias. Established in 1992, the DSA’s primary goal was to safeguard the interests, land, and resources of the Digil clan from incursions, primarily from factions within the Hawiye clan and other hostile groups in the region. Throughout its active years until 2007, the DSA played a significant role in regional defense, navigating a complex and dangerous landscape where clan rivalries and power struggles shaped daily life.
Origins and Establishment
The Digil Salvation Army was created in response to growing insecurity in the Lower Shabelle region after the collapse of Somalia’s central government in 1991. As rival factions sought to consolidate control over valuable agricultural land and resources, the Digil clan experienced repeated attacks. In 1992, in the face of these ongoing threats, community leaders and military figures from the Digil clan—including Colonel Siid Cali and Colonel Sheikh Abdulwahid—founded the DSA to provide organized defense for their people.
The DSA quickly took on an active role in repelling attacks from armed groups, particularly from factions associated with General Mohamed Farrah Aidid. Notably, DSA forces clashed with the Galje’el militia, which was allegedly backed by General Aidid, in Afgooye and Wanlaweyn districts in 1992 and 1993. These confrontations were pivotal in establishing the DSA’s reputation as a defensive force capable of countering larger and more heavily armed adversaries.
Key Conflicts and Regional Defense
The DSA’s operational period was marked by intense conflict, especially against militias aligned with powerful Somali warlords. One of the DSA’s most notable battles occurred when they defended Digil clan lands from the Eelay militia. This militia, commanded by Mohamed Nur Alio and allegedly supported by General Aidid, launched attacks on Buulofulaay, seizing hundreds of camels and other livestock. In response, the DSA mobilized to defend their territory and recover lost resources, proving instrumental in restoring a degree of stability in the region.
One of the DSA’s most strategic positions was in Qoryooleey, a town in Lower Shabelle that held symbolic and practical importance for the Digil community. The DSA successfully defended Qoryooleey against repeated attacks from General Aidid’s forces and later his son, Hussein Aidid. Following these confrontations, Qoryooleey remained a focal point of resistance. Even after the Aidid faction weakened, the DSA continued to face aggression from other actors, including General Yusuf Siyad Indha Adde, a prominent warlord with significant influence in the region. Through these challenges, the DSA held its ground, maintaining a defensive presence that secured the town from external forces for several years.
Leadership and Community Support
The DSA's resilience was deeply rooted in its leadership and support from the Digil community. Under the guidance of Colonel Siid Cali, who was interviewed in Mandera, Kenya, in 1997, the militia developed a disciplined approach to defending its territories. Colonel Siid Cali emphasized the DSA’s primary role as a defensive force focused on protecting civilians and maintaining local autonomy in the absence of effective central governance (Siid Cali, personal communication, 1997).
Alongside Colonel Siid Cali, Colonel Sheikh Abdulwahid—a founder and former Member of Parliament—was instrumental in shaping the militia’s community-oriented ethos. The DSA’s structure was highly dependent on the social and political networks within the Digil clan, making it a unique defense force in Somalia’s broader conflict landscape (Sheikh Abdulwahid, personal communication, 1997).
The DSA’s spokesperson, Asad Abdinur, who currently resides in Norway, also played a crucial role in articulating the militia’s objectives and securing moral support for its efforts. In an interview, Abdinur emphasized that the DSA’s mission was solely focused on protecting the Digil community from external aggression, not on territorial expansion or political gain (Abdinur, personal communication, 1998). Liberation of Qoryooleey and Legacy.
In 1998, the DSA achieved a significant milestone by liberating Qoryooleey from occupation, garnering regional attention. A BBC interview from that time highlights the DSA’s success in reclaiming the town, with residents expressing relief and renewed hope for stability in the area (BBC, 1998).
However, the DSA’s success was ultimately short-lived, as larger, better-funded groups like Al-Shabaab began consolidating power in southern Somalia in the early 2000s. By 2007, Al-Shabaab’s control over much of the region forced the DSA to disband. Despite this, the DSA’s legacy remains a significant chapter in the history of the Digil community’s struggle for autonomy and self-defense during a time of extreme instability in Somalia.
Conclusion
The Digil Salvation Army served as a vital defensive force for the Digil clan in Lower Shabelle from 1992 to 2007. In its 15-year operational period, the DSA not only defended local communities from formidable adversaries but also provided a model of community-centered resistance in a stateless environment. Its history, leadership, and operational approach provide valuable insights into the challenges faced by local militias in Somalia and the role of clan-based defense forces in protecting vulnerable populations.
References
editSiid Cali, Colonel. (1997). Interview in Mandera, Kenya.
Sheikh Abdulwahid, Colonel. (1997). Personal communication.
Abdinur, Asad. (1998). Personal communication.
BBC (1998). Liberation of Qoryooleey interview, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0g9_jmq0WI.
Africa News Service. (1999). New militia group emerges in southern Somalia. The New Humanitarian. Retrieved from https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/news/1999/07/27/new-militia-group-emerges.
IRIN News. (1999). Somalia: New Developments in Lower Shabelle. Retrieved from https://www.africa.upenn.edu/Hornet/irin_8499b.html.
Somalia Watch. (2000). Clans and Conflicts in Southern Somalia. Retrieved from https://www.somaliawatch.org/archive/000305101.html