The Karanle are traditionally the eldest subclan of Hawiye[3] and have played an important role in mediation. They are said to be the maternal ancestors of many large clan families such as the
Hiraab, the
Bimal, and some
Ogaden subclans.
The Karanle are credited for fighting foreign invaders in Somalia and Ethiopia where they historically shared a long border.[4][5][6][7]
^L'ultimo impero cristiano politica e religione nell'Etiopia contemporanea (1916- 1974)|quote="The Hawiye chiefs who together with their sons, participated in the plans of Lij Jasu only aggravated the violence on both sides. The Hawiyas, in revenge, destroyed the crops around Harar in order to create a scorched earth policy and raided numerous cattle, which were partly owned by Aqa Gabru. The punitive expedition led by the Amhara faced an entire coalition made up of Geri Somali and Ogaden soldiers, but led by the Hawiya."
^Moizo, Bernard (1999).
Variations. L'Aube. p. 33.
^Roma, La Somalia Italiana e l'eccidio di Lafole, (Rivista Marittima: 1897)