Horn of Africa polity was succeeded by the Sultanate of Ifat around 1285. Ifat was governed from its capital at Zeila in northern Somalia and was the easternmost district of the former Shewa Sultanate. The Adal Sultanate was a medieval multi-ethnic Muslim state centered in the Horn region. At its height, it controlled large parts of Somalia, Ethiopia, Djibouti and Eritrea. Many of the historic cities in the region, such as Amud, Maduna, Abasa, Berbera, Zeila and Harar, flourished during the kingdom's golden age. This period that left behind numerous courtyard houses, mosques, shrines and walled enclosures. Under the leadership of rulers such
Operation Enduring Freedom – Horn of Africa Horn of Africa, Gulf of Aden, Red Sea, North Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman. On 21 January 2006, , an "Arleigh Burke"-class destroyer, captured a vessel operating off the Somali coast whose crew were suspected of piracy. On 18 March 2006, , a "Ticonderoga"-class cruiser and , an "Arleigh Burke"-class destroyer, engaged pirate vessels after receiving fire from them. On 3 June 2007, , a landing ship dock, engaged pirates attacking a freighter, but failed to repel them. On 28 October 2007, the destroyer , opened fire on pirates who had captured a freighter and with other vessels