Beledweyne
Encyclopedia
Beledweyne is a city in central Somalia
. It is the capital of the Hiraan province, and is located in the central valley of the Shebelle river
near the Ogaden
, some 206 miles (332 km) north of Mogadishu
, the nation's capital. The Shebelle river divides the town into east and west. By area, Beledweyne is the fourth largest city in Somalia, and the fourth largest in terms of population after Kismayo.
to Mohamed Farah Aidid. Following the relocation of his capital to Taleex
in 1909, Mohammed Abdullah Hassan
and his Dervish
forces constructed a fort in the Ogaden near Beledweyne to consolidate his control over the Ogaden
region.
After the death of Hasan Qalaad, Mr. Abdullahi Abdi Aaden (Koofi) was in charge of the city until the transitional Somali president Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed
nominated Yusuf Ahmed Hagar (also known as Yusuf Mohamud Hagar ("Dabageed")) as the new governor of the region. He had been forced to flee by the Islamic Courts Union (ICU) whose forces, under the command of Yusuf Makaraan took the town in August 2006 and established a sharia
court under Sheik Farah Moalim. Though "Dabageed" returned to the town following the Battle of Beledweyne
, on January 1, 2007, Somali President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed
declared Hussein Mohamud Moalim as new administrator for Hiiran region, replacing Dabageed, and Saleyman Ahmed Hilowle was nominated as assistant administrator.
(WSLF), which sought to liberate the Ogaden
region and annex it to form a Greater Somalia
.
During the War in Somalia (2006-2009), the internationally-backed Transitional Federal Government
(TFG), supported by Ethiopia
n troops, took the town
from the Islamic Courts Union (ICU). However, by the end 2008, the radical Islamist Al-Shabaab movement had retaken all of the city in addition to much of southern Somalia.
Tensions resurfaced as a result of a suicide bombing in the city on June 18, 2009. The explosion was caused by a car bomb that detonated near the Medina Hotel and it killed 20 people, including National Security Minister Omar Hashi Aden. Authorities suspect the attack was implemented by Al-Shabab, which is alleged to be backed by al-Qaida.
Somalia
Somalia , officially the Somali Republic and formerly known as the Somali Democratic Republic under Socialist rule, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. Since the outbreak of the Somali Civil War in 1991 there has been no central government control over most of the country's territory...
. It is the capital of the Hiraan province, and is located in the central valley of the Shebelle river
Shebelle River
The Shebelle River begins in the highlands of Ethiopia, and then flows southeast into Somalia towards Mogadishu. Near Mogadishu, it turns sharply southwest, where it follows the coast. Below Mogadishu, the river becomes seasonal...
near the Ogaden
Ogaden
Ogaden is the name of a territory comprising the southeastern portion of the Somali Regional State in Ethiopia. The inhabitants are predominantly ethnic Somali and Muslim. The title "Somali Galbeed", which means "Western Somalia," is often preferred by Somali irredentists.The region, which is...
, some 206 miles (332 km) north of Mogadishu
Mogadishu
Mogadishu , popularly known as Xamar, is the largest city in Somalia and the nation's capital. Located in the coastal Benadir region on the Indian Ocean, the city has served as an important port for centuries....
, the nation's capital. The Shebelle river divides the town into east and west. By area, Beledweyne is the fourth largest city in Somalia, and the fourth largest in terms of population after Kismayo.
History
Beledweyne is one of the oldest cities in Somalia, and the city where the first generation of modern Somali politicians have their roots, from Aden Abdullah Osman DaarAden Abdullah Osman Daar
Aden Abdulle Osman Daar , popularly known as Aadan Cadde, was a Somali politician and the country's first President from July 1, 1960 to June 10, 1967.-Biography:...
to Mohamed Farah Aidid. Following the relocation of his capital to Taleex
Taleex
Taleh is an historical town in the northeastern Sool region of Somalia. It served as the headquarters of the pre-independence Dervish State.-History:...
in 1909, Mohammed Abdullah Hassan
Mohammed Abdullah Hassan
Sayyīd Muhammad `Abd Allāh al-Hasan was a Somali religious and patriotic leader...
and his Dervish
Dervish State
The Dervish state was an early 20th century Somali Sunni Muslim state that was established by Muhammad Abdullah Hassan, a religious leader who gathered Somali soldiers from across the Horn of Africa and united them into a loyal army known as the Dervishes...
forces constructed a fort in the Ogaden near Beledweyne to consolidate his control over the Ogaden
Ogaden
Ogaden is the name of a territory comprising the southeastern portion of the Somali Regional State in Ethiopia. The inhabitants are predominantly ethnic Somali and Muslim. The title "Somali Galbeed", which means "Western Somalia," is often preferred by Somali irredentists.The region, which is...
region.
After the death of Hasan Qalaad, Mr. Abdullahi Abdi Aaden (Koofi) was in charge of the city until the transitional Somali president Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed
Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed
Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed is a veteran Somali politician. He is one of the founders of the Somali Salvation Democratic Front, as well as the Puntland State of Somalia, where he served as the autonomous region's first President...
nominated Yusuf Ahmed Hagar (also known as Yusuf Mohamud Hagar ("Dabageed")) as the new governor of the region. He had been forced to flee by the Islamic Courts Union (ICU) whose forces, under the command of Yusuf Makaraan took the town in August 2006 and established a sharia
Sharia
Sharia law, is the moral code and religious law of Islam. Sharia is derived from two primary sources of Islamic law: the precepts set forth in the Quran, and the example set by the Islamic prophet Muhammad in the Sunnah. Fiqh jurisprudence interprets and extends the application of sharia to...
court under Sheik Farah Moalim. Though "Dabageed" returned to the town following the Battle of Beledweyne
Battle of Beledweyne
Battle of Beledweyne may refer to:*Battle of Beledweyne *Battle of Beledweyne *Battle of Beledweyne...
, on January 1, 2007, Somali President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed
Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed
Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed is a veteran Somali politician. He is one of the founders of the Somali Salvation Democratic Front, as well as the Puntland State of Somalia, where he served as the autonomous region's first President...
declared Hussein Mohamud Moalim as new administrator for Hiiran region, replacing Dabageed, and Saleyman Ahmed Hilowle was nominated as assistant administrator.
Districts
Beledweyne consists of four main districts:- Buundoweyn
- Howlwadaag
- Kooshin
- Xaawotaako
Climate
The city of Beledweyne is one of the cold areas in Somalia, with the climate changing throughout the year. Between March and April, the average daily maximum temperature in the city is 22°C. In December, the average daily maximum temperature is 11°C.Battle of Beledweyne
Beledweyne is considered a strategically important town. In the 1970s, it was a staging area for the Western Somali Liberation FrontWestern Somali Liberation Front
The Western Somali Liberation Front was a separatist rebel group fighting in eastern Ethiopia to create an independent state. It played a major role in the Ogaden War of 1977-78 assisting the invading Somali Army...
(WSLF), which sought to liberate the Ogaden
Ogaden
Ogaden is the name of a territory comprising the southeastern portion of the Somali Regional State in Ethiopia. The inhabitants are predominantly ethnic Somali and Muslim. The title "Somali Galbeed", which means "Western Somalia," is often preferred by Somali irredentists.The region, which is...
region and annex it to form a Greater Somalia
Greater Somalia
Greater Somalia refers to those regions in the Horn of Africa in which ethnic Somalis are and have historically represented the predominant population. Greater Somalia encompasses Somalia, Djibouti, the Ogaden of Ethiopia and the North Eastern Province of Kenya. Pan-Somalism refers to the vision...
.
During the War in Somalia (2006-2009), the internationally-backed Transitional Federal Government
Transitional Federal Government
The Transitional Federal Government is the current internationally recognized government of the Republic of Somalia. It was established as one of the Transitional Federal Institutions of government as defined in the Transitional Federal Charter adopted in November 2004 by the Transitional...
(TFG), supported by Ethiopia
Ethiopia
Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2...
n troops, took the town
Battle of Beledweyne
Battle of Beledweyne may refer to:*Battle of Beledweyne *Battle of Beledweyne *Battle of Beledweyne...
from the Islamic Courts Union (ICU). However, by the end 2008, the radical Islamist Al-Shabaab movement had retaken all of the city in addition to much of southern Somalia.
Tensions resurfaced as a result of a suicide bombing in the city on June 18, 2009. The explosion was caused by a car bomb that detonated near the Medina Hotel and it killed 20 people, including National Security Minister Omar Hashi Aden. Authorities suspect the attack was implemented by Al-Shabab, which is alleged to be backed by al-Qaida.