Habte Giyorgis played a leading role in several important battles of Ethiopian history. In one of Menelik's expeditions Habte Giyorgis was raised from a junior officer to a lieutenant because of his bravery and talent in the early 1890s.
Borena Campaign During Menelik's expansion of the empire between 1897 and 1898 Habte Giyorgis was assigned in subjugating the
Borena region. After raising an army of 15,000,
Fitawrari Habte Giyorgis set out for
Borena in June 1897 from West Shewa. On July 31, his army arrived at
Borena at a place called Sogida in which they built a fort at
Mega. The Abba
Gadaa of
Borena, Addi Doyyo, with the advice of the local
Gadaa assembly decided submit to
Fitawrari Habte Giyorgis's army to avoid war. After his successful campaign in
Borena,
Menelik made Habte Giyorgis
Shum, equivalent as governor, of
Borena adding the Shewan provinces of "Mecha and Jibat as a reward".
Deposing of Lij Iyasu During the deposing of
Lij Iyasu,
Fitawrari Habte Giyorgis led the army against forces loyal to
Lij Iyasu. He was the commanding General during the
Battle of Segale in which
Fitawrari Habte Giyorgis's army decisively defeated
Lij Iyasu's father
Negus Mikael of Wollo. between supporters of Zewditu and Lij Iyasu. Habte Giyorgis is labeled as #4. “Fitawrari” (generalissimo) “Habta-Giorgis” in Geéz ==Political potentiate==