Yusuf Ahmed Hagar Dabageed
Yusuf Ahmed Hagar is a Somali politician and current Vice President of Hirshabelle State. He was governor of the Hiran region of Somalia. He supports the Somali Transitional Federal Government, and was militarily supported by Ethiopia in the War in Somalia (2006–2009).
Flees Beledweyn
On 13 August 2006, after resisting for a few days, regional governor Yusuf Ahmed Hagar, was deposed by the Islamic Courts Union and fled to Ethiopia to regroup his forces.Advances with Ethiopians
On December 18, Ethiopian troops were reported occupying Ballanballe in Galgadud province. On the same day another group of Ethiopian troops departed Hiran province, central Somali, accompanied by militias loyal to former defeated warlords Mohammed Dhere and Dabageed.Battle of Beledweyne
Dabageed was returned to power after the success of the Ethiopian-backed invasion of Hiran province, culminating in the Battle of Beledweyne, fought on December 24–25, 2006.After the battle, Yusuf Dabageed said, "We have taken control of Baladweyne and our forces are chasing the terrorists. We have killed more than 60 Islamists, wounded others and captured some as prisoners of war." Following their defeat in Baladweyne, leaders of the Islamic courts called on the Ethiopian troops to withdraw.
Dabageed proclaimed the town of Beledweyne was liberated and it was again legal to chew khat. A truck filled with khat arriving the next day, on December 26, was met with a burst of cheers.