emperor baeda maryam i conducted a campaign against the dobe'a early in his reign, but they had fled with their cattle, camels, and he was unable to track down any of them. he subsequently rode into the area himself, but the dobe'a recognized him from a distance and were able to flee, their possessions already having been evacuated. at this point, the "dankalé," the ruler of the danakil (better known as the afar), offered to intervene and help in the emperor's campaign. he sent the emperor a horse, a mule laden with dates, a shield, and two spears to show his support, along with a message saying, "i have set up my camp, o my master, with the intention of stopping these people. if they are your enemies, i will not let them pass, and will seize them." ba'eda maryam sent his men against the dobe'a again, but his men were defeated and suffered heavy casualties. ba'eda maryam was by this point infuriated, criticizing his soldiers for attacking without orders and stating his determination to remain in the dobe'a country until he had subdued the country to the point where he could sow grain there and his horses could eats its crop.