# Aulihan (Awlyahan, Ogaden, Darod)

> The Aulihan (Awlyahan) of the Ogaden and Darod: lines, Baardheere, Middle Juba, Bakool, Dhobley and Garissa, and conflict records, with EASO and EUAA sources.

Source page: https://calankii.com/en/society/aulihan/
Last checked: 2026-11-13
Publisher: Calankii (https://calankii.com)

## Name and family tree

The Aulihan are a line of the [Ogaadeen](/en/society/ogaadeen/), part of the [Darod](/en/society/darod/). In Somali the name is Cawlyahan.

| Source | Line it gives |
|---|---|
| Abbink 2009 | Darod > Kablalah > Kumade > Ogaden > Bahalla > Aulihan ([Abbink, *The Total Somali Clan Genealogy*, 2009](https://hdl.handle.net/1887/14007)) |
| EASO 2021 | "The Aulihan (Ogaden/Darood) clan" ([EASO, *Somalia: Security situation*, 2021](https://coi.euaa.europa.eu/administration/easo/PLib/2021_09_EASO_COI_Report_Somalia_Security_situation.pdf)) |
| EUAA 2025 | "The Aulihan (Darood)" ([EUAA 2025, Middle Juba](https://www.euaa.europa.eu/coi/somalia/2025/security-situation/21-jubbaland/212-middle-juba)) |
| ACLED 2025 | Two codes: Darod-Auliyan, and Darod > Ogaden > Awlyahan ([ACLED clan actor list, September 2025](https://acleddata.com/system/files/2025-10/Somalia-clan-actor-old-to-new-list_16-September-2025.xlsx)) |

See [the Darod tree](/en/society/somali-clan-tree-darod/).

## Main branches

Abbink lists two Aulihan lines, Reer Afgab and Reer Wafate (Abbink 2009, Darod chart). He places the Aulihan under Bahalla, beside the Bah Geri and the Mohamed Zubeir.

Abbink also lists an Awlyahan line under 'Ali of the [Saleeban](/en/society/saleebaan-habar-gidir/), a different place in the Darod tree (Abbink 2009, Darod chart). See [Mohamed Zubeir](/en/society/mohamed-zubeir/), a sister line under Bahalla.

## Where they live

No census counts Somalis by clan. ACCORD notes that Somalis often claim more members than their groups have, "in order to demonstrate strength" ([ACCORD, *Clans in Somalia*, 2009, p. 11](https://www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/1193130/90_1261130976_accord-report-clans-in-somaliarevised-edition-20091215.pdf)).

| Place | What the sources record |
|---|---|
| Fafaduun and Baardheere | The Aulihan "historically resided and controlled pasture and wells" there (EASO 2021) |
| Middle Juba | One of "the two strongest clans both in political and military terms", with the Mohamed Zubeir (EUAA 2025, Middle Juba) |
| Bakool | The clan "resides along both sides of the border with Ethiopia" ([EUAA 2025, Bakool](https://www.euaa.europa.eu/coi/somalia/2025/security-situation/22-south-west/221-bakool)) |
| Dhobley, Lower Juba | The EASO notes an Aulihan "presence in Dobley, near the Kenya border" (EASO 2021) |
| Kenya | The EASO says the Aulihan "have more important interests in Garissa county, Kenya (especially Dadaab refugee camp)" (EASO 2021) |

See [Middle Juba](/en/regions/middle-juba/), [Gedo](/en/regions/gedo/), [Bakool](/en/regions/bakool/) and [Lower Juba](/en/regions/lower-juba/).

## History on record

- **Before 1991.** The EASO lists the Aulihan among clans "of long-standing residence" in [Baardheere](/en/regions/baardheere/) (EASO 2021).
- **Since 2012.** The EASO says their interests in Kismayo are smaller than in Garissa county (EASO 2021). See [Jubaland](/en/states/jubaland/).
- **August 2024.** On 25 August 2024, eight Marehan and Bartire civilians were abducted in Saakow. The EUAA says this came "after crossing to the grazing land of the Auliyan clan" ([EUAA Country Focus 2025](https://coi.euaa.europa.eu/administration/easo/PLib/2025_05_EUAA_COI_Report_Somalia_Country_Focus.pdf)).

## Elders and customary law

Senior Somali clan leaders carry titles such as *suldaan*, *ugaas* or *issim*. Their role is "mainly judicial and representative" ([UK Home Office, CPIN Somalia: clans, 2019, quoting EASO 2014](https://www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/2002542/Somalia_-_Clans_-_CPIN_V3.0e.pdf)). See [xeer, Somali customary law](/en/society/xeer-customary-law/).

## In recent conflict records

The EUAA's 2025 list of major clan conflicts does not name the Aulihan ([EUAA Country Focus 2025, section 1.5.1](https://coi.euaa.europa.eu/administration/easo/PLib/2025_05_EUAA_COI_Report_Somalia_Country_Focus.pdf)). The Saakow abduction of August 2024 is listed in the same report under abductions (EUAA Country Focus 2025).

The EASO says the Aulihan and Mohamed Zubeir both live on the west bank of Middle [Juba](/en/economy/farming-and-harvests/). It places a Bartire pocket "in between the Aulihan and Mohamed Zubir, in the Hagar area" (EASO 2021). See [Marehan](/en/society/mareexaan/), [Bartire](/en/society/bartire/) and [clan conflicts, district by district](/en/society/clan-conflicts/).

## Where sources differ

- **Two codes.** ACLED codes Auliyan directly under the Darod, and Awlyahan under the Ogaden.
- **Two places in Abbink.** Abbink lists Aulihan under Bahalla of the Ogaden, and Awlyahan under the Saleeban.
- **Spelling.** The EASO and EUAA write Aulihan; the EUAA Country Focus writes Auliyan.

## Read more

- [Ogaadeen](/en/society/ogaadeen/)
- [Mohamed Zubeir](/en/society/mohamed-zubeir/)
- [Darod](/en/society/darod/)
- [Middle Juba](/en/regions/middle-juba/)
- [Bakool](/en/regions/bakool/)

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