Dubats Dubats ( English : " White turbans " ) was the designation given to armed irregular bands employed by the Italian " Royal Corps of Colonial Troops " ( " Regio Corpo di Truppe Coloniali " in Italian ) in Italian Somaliland from 1924 to 1941 . The word " dubats " was derived from a Somali phrase meaning " white turban s " . Origin and duties . Dubats were local soldiers from Italian Somaliland that were employed in Italian military service . First raised in July 1924 by Colonel Bechi , they mainly served as light infantry and developed a reputation as effective fighters . Dubats were maintained as permanent units and were better trained and armed than the tribal banda employed as auxiliaries as needed by the Italian authorities in Somalia and other colonies . Dubats were concentrated along the British Somaliland , Ethiopia and East Africa Protectorate frontiers . Camel mounted detachments ( " recul " ) were also employed for patrol work . Attire , weaponry and ranks . From their establishment , Dubats wore the white " futa " , a traditional Somali sarong - like garment . They also wrapped smaller futa or turbans ( " dub " ) around their heads , which were assiduously maintained . The term " dubat " ( literally " white turban " ) ultimately derives from this usage . The Somali non - commissioned officer s were distinguished by green , red or black lanyard s and tassel s , according to rank . During 1935 - 36 , a khaki version of this attire , including a " saharianna " tunic , was adopted for service wear . Commissioned officers of the Dubats were all Italian . They were usually seconded from the six regular Arab - Somali battalions of the Royal Corps of Colonial Troops , recruited in the territories of present - day Somalia and Yemen . Dubats were armed with Mannlicher M1895 rifle s . They also carried curved traditional Somali dagger s called billao . Campaigns . During 1925 - 27 , three thousand Dubats saw service in the " Campaign of the Sultanates " , involving the occupation of the autonomous regions of Obbia , where the Sultan Yusuf Ali Kenadid ruled over his Sultanate of Hobyo , and Migiurtinia ( 1923 – 27 ) , where Boqor Osman Mahamud ruled the Sultanate . During late 1927 , Dubats were used to raid across the border into Ethiopia , where clan militiamen from Migiurtinia had regrouped in Gorrahei . The use of Dubat irregulars for these intrusions enabled the Italians to avoid diplomatic complications with Ethiopia . The four original bands were increased to ten during the early stages of the Italian invasion of Ethiopia in 1935 . On 5 December 1934 , a clash occurred between a detachment of Dubats occupying the Walwal oasis in the Ogaden , and Ethiopian troops escorting a border commission . This incident provided the pretext for the subsequent Second Italian - Abyssinian War . Nearly 20 , 000 Dubats and other irregulars served with the Italian forces during the 1936 conquest of Ethiopia With the occupation of Ethiopia , the Dubats were re - deployed in the Ogaden Desert and along the frontiers of French and British Somaliland . They saw ongoing action against Ethiopian guerrilla s in Hararghe . On the eve of Italy ' s entry into World War II , the Dubats underwent reorganisation , becoming more closely integrated with the regular Somali units of the Royal Corps of Colonial Troops . The 1st Dubat Group subsequently served as part of General De Simone ' s Column during the successful Italian invasion of British Somaliland in August 1940 . Dubats participated in the attack on the British colony of Kenya and the conquest of Moyale . During the East African Campaign of 1941 , the Dubats served with the Pietro Gazzera army group . Following the British military occupation of Italian Somaliland in 1941 , the Dubats were disbanded . Honors . One Gold Medal of Military Valor : " With the courage of their race - fueled by love for the flag and the belief in the higher destinies of Italy in Africa , gave during the war , many proofs of the most brilliant heroism . With great generosity , and similar faithfulness , gave their blood for the consecration of the Italian Empire . Italo - Ethiopian War , October 3 , 1935 - May 5 , 1936 . " - November 19 , 1936 .