The Dir or Theyr bin Abdalla as mentioned in the book "Futuh al-Habasha", is a Somali clan

Somali clan

The demographics of Somalia describes the condition and overview of Somalia's inhabitants. Demographic topics include basic education, health and population statistics, as well as identified racial and religious affiliations.-Somalis:...

. Its members mostly live in northwestern Somalia

Somalia

Somalia , officially the Somali Republic and formerly known as the Somali Democratic Republic under Socialist rule, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. Since the outbreak of the Somali Civil War in 1991 there has been no central government control over most of the country's territory...

 and Djibouti

Djibouti

Djibouti , officially the Republic of Djibouti , is a country in the Horn of Africa. It is bordered by Eritrea in the north, Ethiopia in the west and south, and Somalia in the southeast. The remainder of the border is formed by the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden at the east...

, in addition to southern and central Somalia and the Ogaden

Ogaden

Ogaden is the name of a territory comprising the southeastern portion of the Somali Regional State in Ethiopia. The inhabitants are predominantly ethnic Somali and Muslim. The title "Somali Galbeed", which means "Western Somalia," is often preferred by Somali irredentists.The region, which is...

.

The main sub-clans of the Dir are the Issa

Issa (clan)

The Issa are a Somali clan, a sub-clan of the Dir. The Issa primarily reside in Djibouti, the extreme northwestern fringe in the Awdal district of Somaliland in northern Somalia, as well as the Shinile Zone located in the Somali Region of Ethiopia.-Lineage:...

 of Djibouti and Ethiopia, as well as the Gadabuursi

Gadabuursi

The Gadabuursi , also known as Samaroon, is a northern Somali clan, a sub-division of the Dir.Most Gadabuursi members are descendants of Sheikh Samaroon...

, Akisho

Akisho

Akisho is a Somali clan, part of the larger Dir group whose members live in Ethiopia and northern Somalia. The Akisho are a sub-division of the Ali Madaxweyn Dir, and they are reputed to be descendants of the eldest sons of the Madaxweyn Dir.-Overview:The Akisho inhabit both the Somaliland region...

, Biyomaal, Surre and Gurgura. The Isaaq

Isaaq

The Isaaq is one of the main Somali clans. Members of the clan principally live in the northwestern Somaliland region of Somalia, and the Somali Region of Ethiopia. The populations of five major cities of Somaliland – Hargeisa, Burco, Berbera, Ceerigaabo and Gabiley – are predominantly Isaaq...

 are also sometimes classified as a Dir sub-clan, but this designation is rejected by Isaaq members who maintain that they represent a clan of their own.
According to an official Military Survey conducted during the colonial period, Dir clan members are by tradition believed to be descended from a forefather named Dir.