Maakhir

Maakhir (Maamul Goboleedka Maakhir, ماخر Mākhir), officially the Maakhir State of Somalia (Maamul Goboleedka Maakhir; ولاية ماخر الصومال Wilāyah Mākhir al-Ṣūmāl) and also known as the Sultanate of Maakhir, is an autonomous administration in the Sanaag region of eastern Somalia.

History
Maakhir is the only Somali territory to never be ruled by a foreign power. Until 1949, the northern region of Somalia (including Maakhir, which was fully autonomous) 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. Maakhir responded by increasing its military presence in Erigavo.

On 9 July, hostilities were reignited when Somaliland troops invaded and occupied Laas Qoray port, under the pretense of rescuing German citizens who were allegedly being held hostage by pirates in the area.