Maakhir

Maakhir, officially the Maakhir State of Somalia was a short-lived quasi-state in the Sanaag region of eastern Somalia formed in 2007. It rejoined Puntland in 2009. From February 23 to March 11, 2025, a consultative conference on the self-determination of the Maakhir region was held in Badhan. Representatives were elected for an interim Maakhir administration.

History

Maakhir refers to the area historically governed by the Warsangali Sultanate, which existed for centuries and played a significant role in the early 20th century. Maakhir is the only Somali territory to never be ruled by a foreign power. Until 1949, the northern region of Somalia was known to the Western world as British Somaliland.

Military operations

In February 2008, Somaliland Armed Forces laid siege to Hadaftimo, causing a state of emergency before the troops withdrew into Erigavo.
On 9 July, hostilities were reignited with a Somaliland Armed Forces operation at the port of Las Qoray, which was reportedly launched to rescue German citizens being held hostage by pirates in the area.

Survival as a state

According to Marchal, Maakhir had problems surviving as a state. While economically, it had the opportunity to use oil revenue from the region, there was no easy way to do this. Its main challenges were that it was small and not well organised. Given the economic and military realities, Maakhir had to seek compromise with either of its two neighbors, Puntland and Somaliland.