The Shaido War was a military campaign begun in 999 NE when the Shaido clan of the Aiel rejected the proclamation of Rand al'Thor as the Car'a'carn or chief of chiefs of the Aiel people at Alcair Dal. Couladin, claiming the leadership of the clan although he had never been to Rhuidean, led the entire Shaido clan, some 160,000 people, into Cairhien on a campaign of conquest and destruction.