Hassan Ali Abokor () was first

chief of staff The title chief of staff (or head of staff) identifies the leader of a complex organization such as the armed forces, institution, or body of persons and it also may identify a principal staff officer (PSO), who is the coordinator of the supportin ...

of the

Somaliland Armed Forces The Somaliland National Armed Forces (; ) are the military services of the Republic of Somaliland. The Somaliland National Armed Forces consist of the Somaliland National Army, the Somaliland Coast Guard, the Somaliland Police Force, the Somalil ...

. As of 2024, he is the only national military commander who is not

Habr Awal The Habr Awal, alternately known as the Zubeyr Awal (, , Full Name: '' Abd al-Raḥmān ibn ash-Ishaaq bin Ahmed, Shaykh Isḥāq ibn Aḥmad)'' is one of the largest subclans of the wider Isaaq clan family, and is further divided into eight su ...

branch.

Biography

Hassan Ali Abokor is from the

Habr Je'lo The Habr Je'lo (), , Full Name: ''Mūsa ibn ash-Shaykh Isḥāq ibn Aḥmad,'' historically known as the Habr Toljaala () is a major Northern Somali clan of the wider Isaaq family. Its members form the Habr Habusheed () confederation along with t ...

branch of the

Isaaq The Isaaq (, , ''Banu Ishaq'') is a major Somali clans, Somali clan. It is one of the largest Somali clan families in the Horn of Africa, with a large and densely populated traditional territory. The Isaaq people claim in a traditional legend ...

clan. On May 27 1988, he was one of the

Somali National Movement The Somali National Movement (, ) was one of the first and most important Guerrilla warfare, organized guerilla groups and Mujahideen groups that opposed the Siad Barre regime in the 1980s to the 1990s, as well as being the main anti-government f ...

(SNM) commanders, along with

Mohamed Kahin Ahmed Mohamed Kahin Ahmed (, ) is a Somaliland politician and former military officer of the Somali National Movement. He serves as chairman of the Peace, Unity, and Development Party, Kulmiye party since 21 August 2023. He also served as the Ministry ...

and Axmed Mirre, when the SNM captured

Burco Burao, also spelt Bur'o or Bur'ao (; , , ), is the capital of the Togdheer region and the second largest city in Somaliland. Burao was the site of the declaration of an independent Somaliland on 18 May 1991. Etymology The word ''burco'' des ...

. Later, Adan Salebaan (Ma-Gube) became army commander and Hassan Ali Abokor became deputy commander.

First commander of the Somaliland Army

In 1993, Hassan Ali Abokor was appointed by the President of Somaliland as the first commander of the Somaliland Armed Forces. In 1994, he created the formal Somaliland National Army with General Abdisamad Gamgam under Army Chief of Staff

Muse Bihi Abdi Musa Bihi Abdi (, ; born 16 June 1948) is a Somaliland politician and former military officer who served as the 5th President of Somaliland from 2017 to 2024. During the 1970s, he served as a pilot in the Somali Air Force under the Siad Barr ...

. In 1996 he was replaced as commander by

Osman Awad Hashi Osman Awad Hashi (), as known as Osman Dacas (), was 2nd chief of staff of the Somaliland Armed Forces. Biography Osman Dacas is from the Habr Je'lo clan. Activities at SNM Osman Dacas was in charge of the eastern area during his Somali Natio ...

(Osman Dacas).

Thereafter

In November 2006, Hassan Ali Abokor expressed his condolences on the passing of

Hassan Yonis Habane Hassan Yonis Habane () was a chief of staff of the Somaliland Armed Forces. As one of the commanders of the SNM, the predecessor of Somaliland, he won many battles and was one of the initiators of Somaliland's independence. Biography He was ...

. In November 2010, he was reported as a leading candidate for Director of National Intelligence, but was ultimately replaced by Maxamed Nuur Xirsi. In February 2016, at the celebration of the 22nd anniversary of the creation of the National Armed Forces, he was named by the President of Somaliland as one of the first seven people to have contributed to the National Armed Forces. In February 2017, at a ceremony marking the 23rd anniversary of the creation of the national army, the president of Somaliland praised him by name.

References

{{reflist, refs= {{Cite news, url=https://www.oodweynemedia.com/2018/07/01/taariikhda-beesha-habar-jeclo-oo-ah-beesha-ugu-balaadhan-somali-gaar-ahaan-beelaha-dega-somaliland/, title=Taariikhda Beesha Habar Jeclo oo ah Beesha ugu balaadhan Somali gaar ahaan Beelaha dega Somaliland, trans-title=History of the Habar Jeclo community, which is the largest Somali community, especially the communities living in Somaliland, author=, date=2018-07-01, work=Odweyne news.com, access-date=2024-05-12 {{Cite news, url=https://www.oodweynemedia.com/2018/12/01/caare-ciidanka-qaranka/, title=Caare & Ciidanka Qaranka, trans-title=Aare & National Army, author=, date=2018-12-01, work=Odweyne news.com, access-date=2024-05-12 {{Cite news, url=https://wargeyskadawan.com/2015/05/28/xusuusta-27-guurraddii-gudo-galkii-snm-ee-burco-iyo-meerisyada-taariikhda-galay/, title=Xusuusta 27 Guurraddii Gudo-galkii SNM Ee Burco iyo Meerisyada Taariikhda Galay, trans-title=The memory of the 27th anniversary of SNM's entry into Burco and the Meris, author=, date=2015-05-28, work=Wargeyska Dawan, access-date=2024-05-12 {{Cite news, url=https://afkashacabka.com/articles/1697/Xusuustii-Xildhiban-Mubarik-Yusuf-Bidhi-Iyo-27-May-Burco-Sanadguuradii-26aad, title=Xusuustii Xildhiban Mubarik Yusuf Bidhi Iyo 27 May Burco Sanadguuradii 26aad, trans-title=The memory of Mubarik Yusuf Bidhi and 27 May Burco's 26th anniversary, author=, date=2014-05-27, work=Afka Shacabka, access-date=2024-05-12 {{Cite news, url=https://hadhwanaagnews.ca/mobile/articles/38714/Waa-Kuma-General-Cabdisamad-Xaaji-Cabdillaahi-Diiriye-Warsame-Gamgam, title=Waa Kuma General Cabdisamad Xaaji Cabdillaahi Diiriye Warsame (Gamgam), trans-title=Who is General Abdisamad Haji Abdullahi Diiriye Warsame (Gamgam), author=, date=2023-03-31, work=Hadhwanaagmedia.com, access-date=2024-05-12 {{Cite news, url=http://www.haatuf.net/Archive2002/00019300.htm, title=Taliyihii guud iyo taliyihii qaybta 31aad oo xilka laga qaaday, trans-title=The commander-in-chief and the commander of the 31st division were dismissed, author=, date=, work=Haatuf News, access-date=2024-05-10 {{Cite news, url=https://somalilandsun.com/somaliland-armed-forces-commemorate-23rd-anniversary/, title=Somaliland: Armed Forces Commemorate 23rd Anniversary, author=, date=2017-02-02, work=Somaliland Sun, access-date=2024-05-12 {{Cite news, url=http://www.haatuf.net/Archive2003/000127300.htm, title=TACSI, author=, date=2006-11-29, work=Haatuf News, access-date=2024-05-11 {{Cite news, url=http://www.haatuf.net/2009files/1581397.html, title=Madaxa Sirdoonka Qaranka Oo MaantaLa Magacaabi Doono Iyo Xubnaha Safka Hore Ku Jira, trans-title=The Chief of National Intelligence To Be Appointed Today And Members Of The Front Row, author=, date=2010-11-14, work=Haatuf News, access-date=2024-05-12 {{Cite news, url=http://haatuf.net/2009files/15814235.html, title=Taliyaha Cusub Ee Sirdoonka Qaranka Madaxweyne Siillaanyo Magacaabay Oo Xilkii Si Rasmi Ah Ula Wareegay, trans-title=The new Chief of National Intelligence appointed by President Silanyo and officially handed over the position, author=, date=2010-11-19, work=Haatuf News, access-date=2024-05-12 {{Cite news, url=https://www.araweelonews.com/warar/madaxweynaha-somaliland-oo-munaasibadda-aasaaska-22-guurada-ciidanka-qaranka-kaga-qaybgalay-oog/, title=Madaxweynaha Somaliland Oo Munaasibadda Aasaaska 22-guurada Ciidanka Qaranka Kaga Qaybgalay Oog, trans-title=The President of Somaliland attended the 22nd anniversary of the founding of the National Army Oog, author=, date=2016-02-02, work=Araweelo News Network, access-date=2024-05-12 {{Cite news, url=https://www.togaherer.com/2017/02/02/khudbada-madaxweynaha-ee-munaasibadda-xuska-sannad-guurada-23aad-ee-aasaaska-ciidanka-qaranka-jamhuuriyadda-somaliland/, title=Khudbada Madaxweynaha ee munaasibadda Xuska Sanaag Guurada 23aad, ee Aasaaska Ciidanka Qaranka Jamhuuriyadda Somaliland., trans-title=The President's speech at the 23rd anniversary of the founding of the National Army of the Republic of Somaliland., author=, date=2017-02-02, work=Togaherer.com, access-date=2024-05-12 Somalian generals Chiefs of the General Staff (Somaliland)