Jibrell Ali Salad - Military Career

Military Career

Jibrell joined the army in 1958 and served in the Somaliland Scouts, the British Army's military force in the region. After Somalia's independence in 1960 from Britain and Italy he became an officer in the newly formed Somali National Army. Four years later, Jibrell fought against Ethiopia during border raids caused by border disputes between the countries (which occurred from 1960 to 1964), in which he was wounded.

From 1971 to 1976 he studied in the Soviet Union at the Soviet military academies studying artillery from 1971 to 1975, and Missile Defense Systems in 1976.

With the outbreak of the Second Ogaden war with Ethiopia in 1977, Jibrell suffered another gunshot wound, received a medal of Honour and was promoted up the ranks to Colonel.