Dubats

Dubats (English: White turbans) was the designation given to armed irregular bands employed by the Italian "Royal Corps of Colonial Troops" (Regio Corpo di Truppe Coloniali in Italian) in Italian Somaliland from 1924 to 1941. The word dubats was derived from a Somali phrase meaning "white turbans".

Dubats were local soldiers from Italian Somaliland that were employed in Italian military service after World War I.

First raised in July 1924 by Colonel Camillo Bechis, they mainly served as light infantry and developed a reputation as effective fighters. Dubats were maintained as permanent units and were better trained and armed than the tribal banda, employed as auxiliaries when needed by the Italian authorities in Somalia and other colonies.

Dubats were concentrated along the British Somaliland, Ethiopian and East Africa Protectorate frontiers.

Camel mounted detachments (recul) were also employed for patrol work in the Ogaden region.

From their establishment, Dubats wore the white futa, a traditional Somali sarong-like garment. They also wrapped smaller futa or turbans (dub) tightly wound around their heads. The term dubat (literally "white turban") was derived from this headdress. The Somali non-commissioned officers were distinguished by green, red or black lanyards and tassels, according to rank. During 1935-36, a khaki version of this attire, including a saharianna tunic, was adopted for service wear.

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