Qandala Qandalla كندلة | |
|---|---|
Town | |
 19th-century engraving of the historic Qandala castle town. | |
  Qandala Location in Somalia | |
| Coordinates:11°28′16″N49°52′26″E / 11.47111°N 49.87389°E /11.47111; 49.87389 | |
| Country |  Somalia |
| Region | Bari |
| District | Qandala |
| Population | |
• Total | 19,300 |
| Time zone | UTC+3 (EAT) |
Qandala (also known asCandala,Andala,Bender Chor,Bandar Kor,Bender Kor orTaba Tege[1]) is an ancient port town in the northeasternBari province ofSomalia.
Qandala sits on awadiestuary, which forms a natural protective harbor for vessels on theGulf of Aden.[1] It lies 75 kilometres (47 mi) east ofBosaso, 549 kilometres (341 mi) south ofAden, and 475 kilometres (295 mi) west ofSocotra.
The city is located in the autonomousPuntland region of Somalia. It is the capital of theQandala District.
In antiquity, Qandala was an active trading center for merchants from the interior of theHorn of Africa, who transported goods such asincense,gum and aromatic woods to and from the port. Its nicknameGacanka Hodonka ("Gulf of Prosperity") is a relic from this era.[1]
Additionally, Qandala is coextensive with the ancient town ofBotiala. The latter settlement features an oldfortress complex, which overlooks and controls the mouth of the wadi leading inland.[1]
On 26 October 2016,a militant group linked toISILcaptured Qandala with 50 armed fighters after a brief firefight with local security forces, thus becoming the first town to be seized by Islamic State affiliated militants in Somalia.[2]BBC News reported that ISIL militants had withdrawn from the town for unclear reasons.[3] However, the report was denied by other media outlets claimed that it was false. On 7 December 2016, a Somali official said Puntland security forces had recaptured the port from ISIL-linked fighters, killing 30 militants. Another four soldiers were also killed during the operation.[4]
Qandala has a population of around 19,300 inhabitants.[5]
Qandala has a number of academic institutions. According to the Puntland Ministry of Education, there are 15 primary schools in the Qandala District. Among these are Xamure, Dhadar, Turmasale and Gurur.[6]
Qandala has a smallseaport.[7]Air transportation in the city is served by theCandala Airport.[8]
