In Somalia, the father's lineage determines clan affiliation and a person's identity, although the mother's clan plays a role in political alliances (Samatar Aug. 1991, 12; Laitin and Samatar 1987, 31). According to a University of Florida (Gainesville) History Professor who wrote his PhD thesis on the Arab factor in Somali history, Somalis of Arab lineage do not benefit from clan protection, while they are often disadvantaged by their perceived association with a particular clan within the Somali society (10 June 1992). This information was confirmed by a representative of the Somali Peace and Consultation Committee now residing in Canada, and a former political prisoner from the Hargeisa region (9 June 1992). For example, during the 1988 Isaq rebellion in the North, several Somali Arabs (mostly Yemeni) living in the Isaq areas were targeted by government forces along with Isaq clan members (Ibid.). However, Somali Arabs did not benefit from traditional clan protection from the Isaq, who still consider them as "outsiders" due to their father's lineage (Ibid.). A further confirmation came from a member of the Somali Community in Washington, himself a Somali Yemeni, who added that Somali Arabs are currently in a particularly difficult situation due to the polarization of clan animosity and to the progressive restriction of clan loyalties in present-day Somalia (9 June 1992).

Laitin, David D. and Said S. Samatar. 1987. Somalia: Nation in Search of a State. Boulder, Col.: Westview Press.

Samatar S.Said. August 1991. Somalia: A Nation in Turmoil. London: Minority Rights Group.

Somali Community of Washington. 9 June 1992. Telephone Interview with a Somali Yemeni member of the community.

Somali Peace and Consultation Committee, New York. 9 June 1992. Telephone Interview with a Representative residing in Canada, also Former Political Prisoner from the Hargeisa region.

University of Florida, Gainesville. 10 June 1992. Telephone Interview with a History Professor specializing in Somalia.

Laitin, David D. and Said S. Samatar. 1987. Somalia: Nation in Search of a State. Boulder, Col.: Westview Press, pp. 29-34.

Samatar S.Said. August 1991. Somalia: A Nation in Turmoil. London: Minority Rights Group, p. 12.