Gebru Tareke dates its initial act to June 1963, when Kahin Abdi, a bandit known for harboring Somali nationalist sentiments, openly defied the government by "becoming an outlaw of the Robin Hood type." In September, his armed band burned the small salt mine in the district, then two months later besieged Hargele for two days.
Gebru Tareke's origins can be traced back to June 1963 when Kahin Abdi, a bandit notorious for harboring Somali nationalist views, openly defied the government by adopting a Robin Hood-like persona. In September, his armed group set fire to a small salt mine in the region, followed by a two-day siege of Hargele.