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 initial actions are linked to Kahin Abdi's rebellion against the government, which involved acts of defiance and violence.