Under the leadership of now Emperor Yohannes IV, Woldemichael fought in the Battle of Gundet against Egyptian forces under Khedive Isma'il Pasha, who sought to bring the entire Nile River Basin under his rule.
The Khedive entrusted the Danish mercenary Colonel Adolf Arendrup to annex Hamasien and Seraye, and then proceed towards Adwa.
In early December 1875, an Egyptian force of 20,000 men landed at Massawa and subsequently marched inland to seize Mereb Melash.
Following the defeat of the Egyptians at the Battle of Gura, Woldemichael fled to Egyptian-controlled Bogos and went into open revolt against Yohannes.
Raesi Baryau governorship was however short-lived, with Woldemichael confronting and soundly defeating him at Biet Mekae near Asmara.
[4] In September 1877, Ras Alula invaded Hamasien with 20,000 troops, he defeated Woldemichael at Aylet and then seized the road to Bogos to cut off his escape.