Ethiopian authorities created the Liyu (“special” in Amharic) police for the Somali region in 2007, when an armed conflict between the insurgent Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) and the government escalated. By 2008, the Liyu police had become a prominent counterinsurgency force recruited and led by then-regional security chief Abdi Mohammed Omar, known as “Abdi Illey.” Abdi Illey became the president of Somali Regional State in 2010, and the Liyu police continue to report to him.
Dowladda Itoobiya ayaa sanadkii 2007 deegaanka Soomaalida u samaysay Liyu boolis (oo marka loo fasiro luuqada Amxaariga micnaheedu yahay ciidanka gaarka ah), xilligaasi oo uu meel adag marayay dagaalka u dhexeeya Jabhadda Wadaniga Xoreynta Ogaadeeniya iyo ciidamada Itoobiya. Ciidanka Liyu boolis ayaa sanadkii 2008 noqday mid ku caanbaxay la dagaallanka jabhaddaasi, waxaana xilligaasi madax u ahaa taliyihii ammaanka ee dowlad deegaanka, Cabdi Maxamuud Cumar oo dadka qaar ay u yaqaanaan “Cabdi Iley”. Cabdi Iley ayaa 2010-kii waxa uu noqday madaxweynaha Dowlad Deegaanka Soomaalida Itoobiya, Liyu boolisna weli asaga ayay hoos yimaadaan.