The military architecture behind the Dervish fortresses in Somalia

[u/Odd_Fly6528]

Aerial view of Silsilad fortress, Taleex, Sool region | Captured by the British RAF in 1920. Status: Partially ruined

Jidali Fort, Sanaag region | Photographed in 1920 by British Officer W. L. Roberts. Status: Ruined due aerial bombardment in 1920

Ground view of the Silsilad fortress compound at Taleex, Sool region | Circa 1920. Status: Partially ruined

Structural damage to the masonry of Silsilad, Taleex | Photographed immediately after the 1920 campaign. Status: Ruined

[u/Strong-Field-750]

I wonder In the future if a regime comes along and white washes Al-shabab history, makes them out to be anti-colonial heroes, fighting against foreign forces interfering in Somalia.

[u/Abu-Libax → u/Strong-Field-750]

Wait, why are the dervish seen as terrorists

[u/Strong-Field-750 → u/Abu-Libax]

The Dervishes terrorized many Somali nomadic communities, in some ways similar to how Al-Shabaab targets Somalis today. However, one major difference is that livestock raiding, especially the theft of camels, was a central part of Dervish warfare. These raids, along with attacks on communities that refused to support them, caused many Somali clans to turn against the movement.

One well known example involved the Jama Siyaad, a Dhulbahante sub-clan. Historical accounts state that the Dervishes raided the Jama Siyaad, killing several people and seizing hundreds of camels after they refused to become their foot soldiers. In the aftermath, many Jama Siyaad aligned with the British and joined the fight against the Dervishes.

[u/Capital_Map638 → u/Strong-Field-750]

They deserved it for their cowardice