Kite Fiqi

Ibrahim Fiqi Yusuf , more commonly known as Kite Fiqi, was a Somali military leader and poet. As a military leader, he led the Soocane faction during the early to mid 19th century, consisting of forces from various sub-divisions of the reer yoonis Habr Je'lo clan. The Soocane faction ruled over most of what is today eastern Somaliland. Overview Ibrahim Fiqi Yusuf was born in 1810 to a family of religious scholars. He belonged to the Habr Je'lo clan, part of the larger Isaaq clan family. His father, Fiqi Yusuf, was a scholar as was his grandfather Ali Galal. His father Fiqi Yusuf, was killed in battle by Adan Madoba horsemen during a raiding party in 1840. His mother, Abban Mohamed Warsame, was a woman of the Jama Siad/Dhulbahante clan.

Despite Kite Fiqi’s pleas, the conflict escalated. The invading forces, led by the Farah Abdille (Ahmed Farah, Rer Dahir), ignored his appeals, and the battle raged on. As the fighting intensified, Kite Fiqi’s forces struggled to maintain control, and heavy casualties occurred. Kite Fiqi later expressed his frustration and sorrow over the inevitable bloodshed, saying:

The warning that Kite Fiqi had given came true, and the casualties were immense. The forces of the Musa Abokor clan, led by Kite Fiqi, eventually retreated, but the Mohamed Abokor forces remained relentless. Some reports suggest that a group of fighters from the Rer Dahir subclan, which had initially joined the invaders, eventually withdrew from the battle. The Mohamed Ahmed of the Ahmed Farah subclan soon also withdrew after suffering major losses.

After a few hours, the battle in the Soocane area came to an end. However, one of the Mohamed Abokor commanders, Malow, who led the invading forces and was positioned opposite the Barre Abdirahman (Bi'ide, Ali Barre), engaged in a fierce battle with his troops that day, successfully pushing back the opposing forces. Kite, after concluding his side of the battle, eventually decimated Malow's forces, with significant casualties among the Barre Abdille (Solomadow).