Qandala sits on a
wadi estuary, which forms a natural protective harbor for vessels on the
Gulf of Aden.
BBC News reported that ISIL militants had withdrawn from the town for unclear reasons. However, the report was denied by other media outlets claimed that it was false. On 7 December 2016, a Somali official said Puntland security forces had recaptured the port from ISIL-linked fighters, killing 30 militants. Another four soldiers were also killed during the operation. ==Demographics==