Garbaharey is a town in the Gedo region of Somalia, located in the southwestern part of the country. It is the capital of the Garbaharey District and the Gedo region. The town is an important commercial hub for the region and is known for its vibrant culture and strong ties to the Somali diaspora.
Garbaharey was founded in the early 19th century by the Somali Dir clan, who were nomadic pastoralists. The town was initially a small settlement, but grew rapidly in the late 19th century as it became an important trading center for the surrounding area. Garbaharey was an important stop on the caravan routes that connected the interior of Somalia with the coastal towns.
The town was an important center of Islamic scholarship in the 19th century, and it was home to many prominent Somali scholars, including Sheikh Uways al-Barawi, the founder of the Salafi movement in Somalia. During the colonial period, Garbaharey was a major center of resistance to Italian occupation, and it was the site of several battles between the local Somali forces and the Italian military.
In the late 20th century, Garbaharey was a major center of the Somali Civil War. The town was captured by the Somali National Movement in 1989, and it was briefly held by the Somali Patriotic Movement in the early 1990s. In 1997, the town was recaptured by the Somali National Alliance, and it has remained under their control since then.
Garbaharey is known for its rich culture and vibrant markets. The town is a major center of Somali music and art, and it is home to numerous traditional Somali restaurants. It is also an important commercial hub, and it is the site of several large markets where goods from all over Somalia are traded.
Today, Garbaharey is an important center of Somali culture and commerce. It is a major tourist destination, and it is one of the most popular destinations in Somalia for visitors from abroad. The town is a vibrant and bustling center of Somali life, and it is a great place to experience the culture and history of Somalia.