Qardho

History

Qardho is one of a series of ancient settlements in northern Somalia. In the Arie Valley, midway between the city and the town of Iskushuban, once lay a sizable town with considerable structures featuring thick walls. Qardho is also situated near the burial place of the immediate forefather of the Marehan Darod clan. In the early modern period, Qardho was a part of the Majeerteen Sultanate (Migiurtinia), centered in Aluula. It was later incorporated into Italian Somaliland during the early 20th century. In 1959, Abdirashid Shermarke, who later became Somalia's president, became a member of the Somali Legislative Assembly as a representative of Qardho. In June 1981, the World Bank identified three areas in northeastern Somalia as promising for irrigation, one of which is between Erigavo and Qardho. The rest are near the Nugaal Valley and near Galkayo. In August 1993, the United Nations Security Council had not yet given up on an early end to the Somali Civil War, and in a report dated August 17, it reported that "a total of 21 district councils had been formed, including 2 in the north-east...Bari region: Gardo Bender Beyla." In 1998, the WFP completed two flood control reservoirs in the village of Dahan near Qardho. It also completed the first phase of a slaughterhouse and distributed food. In August 2002, former President of Puntland, Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed occupied Qardho, which was controlled by troops loyal to President Jama Ali Jama (who was later removed from office and never recognized as having served as president). On December 4, 2003, the Puntland government announced the establishment of four regions: Bosaso, Karkaar, and Haylan. The Karkaar region was separated from the Bari region. Qardho was determined to be the capital of the Karkaar region. In…