Salad was born 1939 in Laasqoray in Sanaag, British Somaliland.

[citation needed] His full name is Jibrell Ali Salaad Aadan Garad Awl.

[citation needed] After Somalia's independence in 1960 from Britain and Italy he became an officer in the newly formed Somali National Army.

[citation needed] With the outbreak of the Second Ogaden war with Ethiopia in 1977, Jibrell suffered another gunshot wound, received a medal of Honour and was promoted up the ranks to Colonel.

[citation needed] Salad travelled through areas of Puntland and Somaliland to obtain support for the creation of the Maakhir State of Somalia from the Badhan district of Sanaag and part of Bari[2][3] As of 1 July 2007 Salad was proclaimed the "Commander in Chief" of the new state.