Buur Dhaab
Buur Dhaab, also known as Buurdhaab or Bur Dab, is a mountain range situated in the Togdheer and Sool regions of Somaliland. The mountain range stands at an elevation of 973 m, or 3,193 ft.
Description
The name "Buur Dhaab" translates to "rocky hill" in Somali. The range forms the northern rim of the Ain Valley, and separates it and the Nugal Valley from the Haud.J Murray, who went on an expedition to Buur Dhaab, describes the range:
History
Buur Dhaab has also historically acted as a junction for trade caravans coming from the east on their way to Berbera port, passing through the Laba Gardai or Bah Lardis pass located within the range. The powerful Habr Je'lo clan has historically acted as the guardians of this pass, receiving dues in exchange for guaranteed safety through Buur Dhaab:The range is home to three Dervish stone forts located at Shimber Berris, constructed by Yemeni Arab masons on the orders of Mohammed Abdullah Hassan after the Battle of Dul Madoba.
Sheikh Bashir Rebellion
Buur Dhaab was the base of Sheikh Bashir during his 1945 rebellion against the British authorities in Somaliland. On the evening of 3 July Sheikh Bashir and his followers entered Burao and opened fire on the police guard of the central prison in the city, which was filled with prisoners arrested for previous demonstrations. The group also attacked the house of the district commissioner of Burao District, Major Chambers, resulting in the death of Major Chamber's police guard before escaping to the range, where Sheikh Bashir's small unit occupied a fort and took up a defensive position in anticipation of a British counterattack.The British administration recruited Indian and South African troops, led by police general James David, to fight against Sheikh Bashir and had intelligence plans to capture him alive. The British authorities mobilized a police force, and eventually on 7 July found Sheikh Bashir and his unit in defensive positions behind their fortifications in the mountains of Bur Dhab. After clashes Sheikh Bashir and his second-in-command, Alin Yusuf Ali, nicknamed Qaybdiid, were killed. A third rebel was wounded and was captured along with two other rebels. The rest fled the fortifications and dispersed. On the British side the police general leading the British troops as well as a number of Indian and South African troops perished in the clashes, and a policeman was injured.
After his death, Sheikh Bashir was widely hailed by locals as a martyr and was held in great reverence. His family took quick action to remove his body from the place of his death at Geela-eeg mountain, about 20 miles from Burao.