The Niamh Passes are a series of narrow footpaths leading through the Spine of the World mountain range, connecting the Borderland kingdom of Shienar to the northernmost part of the Aiel Waste. The Aiel sometimes raid Shienar through the Niamh Passes. To defend against this, the Shienarans maintain a fortress called Ankor Dail at the western end of the passes. Although the Shienarans respect the Aiel as worthy adversaries, they also consider them a nuisance and distraction from the true war with the Shadow to the north.