Merca

Merca (Somali: Marka, Arabic: مركة‎) is an ancient port city in the southern Lower Shebelle province of Somalia. Facing the Indian Ocean, it is the main town in the province. It is located approximately 109 km (68 mi) to the southwest of the nation's capital, Mogadishu.

History

The Biimaal Sultanate of Merca fought against the colonial authorities in Italian Somaliland in a twenty-year war known as the Biimaal revolt. Monuments erected in memory of slain soldiers can still be found in Merca. The Biimaal tribe was the only tribe fight against the colonial rule of Italy, and was lead by the sultanate of Abdirahman Ali Isse family by the brigadiers of Sheikh Kabtoole and Sheikh Abiikar Gaafley.

Merca abandoned by government forces and captured by Al-Shabaab in February of 2016. It was recaptured by the Somali National Army along with African Union troops, a few days later. A small battle was fought in which a Somali soldier, several militants, and four civilians died.

Demographics

As of 2000, Merca had a population of around 230,100 inhabitants.