From 1917 to 1918, after Lij[nb 5] Iyasu was deposed, Ayalew Birru was made the Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Army by Ras Tafari Makonnen.
Gugsa Welle and Ayalew Birru were cousins and both were closely related to Empress Taytu Betel.
[4][nb 9] In 1930, Ras Gugsa Welle's desire to remove Negus Tafari led to his raising an army in rebellion against him.
As Qegnazmach,[nb 10] Ayalew Birru led a portion of the Imperial Army against the rebelling Ras Gugsa Welle and was one of the heroes of the Battle of Anchem.
However, because he was seen as being too closely related to Empress Taytu Betel, Ayalew Birru was not made a Ras as a result of his heroism.
On 12 July 1940, Ayalew Birru attended a meeting called by the Emperor to discuss the invasion of Italian East Africa.
When there were complaints about the quality of the rifles being supplied by the British,[11] he was sent by the Emperor to inspect the military equipment in Begemder Province.
[12] In 1941, during the East African Campaign, Birru Ayalew was again at the side of the Emperor and he was made the putative commander of Arbegnoch forces in Begemder.