This was before even the ICU took over Mogadishu when the Ayr led Habar Gidir and the US asked Guelle to use his links with Abdiqasim to open a channel with them
DAS Yamamoto sought and
obtained President Guelleh's agreement to approach the Ayr
clan in Somalia with a view toward tamping down the
violence there and facilitating the reconciliation
process.Guelleh cautioned, however, that the Ayr had very
little real influence in Somalia, and derived much of its
authority from its affiliation with the Marehan. Guelleh
described Somalia as both complicated and simple, and the
warlords as "dangerous." He also said the warlords will
never accept a central government.
Guelleh responded that in his view, the Ayr do not
have much influence. They originate
from the poorest and most desolate region of Somalia and
derive much of their authority from their affiliation with
the Marehan. When Said Barre's regime collapsed, he
continued, the Ayr were targeted by the Hawiye and kept a
low profile. After Abdiqasim came to power, the Ayr
re-emerged and many became businessmen. Guelleh stated
that some Ayr are Islamists, such as Dahir Aweys, the head
of Al-Ittihad. Yet without the Marehan, the Ayr are
nothing and remain close to them. Still, Guelleh said, he
would be willing "to send some messages to them."
http://cables.mrkva.eu/cable.php?id=59691
