Al-Mukalla
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Mukalla المكلا |
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Overview
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 Mukalla
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| Coordinates: 14°32′N 49°08′E / 14.533°N 49.133°E | |
| Country |
 Yemen
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| Governorate | Hadramaut |
| Founded as a fishing settlement in | 1035 |
| Population (2004) | |
| • Total | 531,205 |
| Time zone | Yemen Standard Time (UTC+3) |
Mukalla (Arabic: المكلا Al Mukallā) is a seaport and the capital city of Yemen's Hadhramaut governorate. The city is located in the southern part of Arabia on the Gulf of Aden, on the shores of the Arabian Sea. Mukalla is 480 kilometres (300 miles) east of Aden and is the most important port in the Hadhramaut, the largest governorate in Yemen.
Mukalla is the fifth-largest city in Yemen, with a population of approximately 300,000. The city is served by the nearby Riyan Airport.
Mukalla is situated not far from "Cane" or "Qana'", the ancient principal Hadrami trading post between India and Africa, with incense producing areas in its hinterland.
Mukalla was founded in 1035 as a fishing settlement. This area was part of Oman until the middle of the 11th century, and later this area became part of Yemen.
It was the capital of the Qu'aiti State of Hadhramaut until 1967, when it became a part of South Yemen. The Qu'aiti State was part of the Eastern Aden Protectorate until that merger, and a British Resident Advisor was stationed at Mukalla.
In 1934, British traveler and explorer Freya Stark began her journey into the hinterland of the Hadhramaut from Mukalla, and her stay in that city is recorded in her book, The Southern Gates of Arabia.
On April 2, 2015, Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) stormed the central prison, freeing hundreds of prisoners including two senior AQAP commanders. They attacked the central bank and seized 17 billion Yemeni riyals and 1 million U.S. dollars before taking control of the presidential palace in the city. It is reported the entire city is under their control and they plan to establish an Islamic emirate in the wider Hadramaut region.
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