1922 Burao tax revolt
The 1922 Burao Tax Revolt was a revolt waged by Habr Yunis tribesmen in the city of Burao in early 1922 against British Somaliland authorities. Overview. In early 1922 the Protectorate authorities announced that they would impose a heavy tax on the people of Burao and initiate a programme of disarmament. This policy was proposed to raise much needed revenues to run the Somaliland Protectorate which was a net drain on Colonial Office coffers. As well to enhance British control in the interior of Somaliland after the Dervish War. As a result the people of Burao  revolted and clashed with the British in opposition to the tax and this led to targeting of British government officials. In the ensuing disturbances a shootout between the British and Burao residents broke out, Captain Allan Gibb, a Somaliland Campaign veteran and district commissioner, was shot and killed after the Camel Corps refused to fire on the rioters. Reaction of British Authorities. Local British authorities feared they could not contain the revolt and requested then Secretary of State for the Colonies Winston Churchill, to send reinforcements from Aden. To punish the rebels, planes from the Aden No. 8 Squadron RAF  were dispatched and troops were placed on standby. The RAF planes arrived at Burao and within two days and proceeded to bomb the town with incendiaries, effectively eliminating the town. of troops became necessary in order to ensure the apprehension and punishment ofthose responsible for the murder. On 27th February the Governor telegraphed that, in order to meet the situation which had arisen, he required two aeroplanes for purposes of demonstration, and suggested that two aeroplanes from the Royal Air Force Detachment at Aden should fly over to Berber a from Aden. He also telegraphed that in certain circumstances it  might become necessary to ask for reinforcements of troops to be sent to the Protectorate.James Lawrence author of "Imperial Rearguard: Wars of Empire" writes[Gibb]..was murdered by rioters during a protest against taxation at Burao. Governor Archer immediately called for aircraft which were at Burao within two days. The inhabitants of the native township were turned out of their houses, and the entire area was razed by a combination of bombing, machine-gun fire and burning. Aftermath. After the incendiary bombardment and destruction of Burao, the leaders of the rebellion acquiesced, agreeing to pay a fine in livestock for  Gibbs death but refused to identify and apprehend the individuals guilty. Most of the men responsible for Gibb's murder would evade capture. In light of the failure to peacefully implement taxation Governor Archer abandoned the policy altogether being a victory for the Somalis in the Protectorate. Governor Archer would soon be replaced after this blunder and policy in British Somaliland would be revised in light of this resistance.