The town is about 20 km (12 mi) west of the Tigris river which defines the triple border between Syria, Turkey and Iraq.

After World War I, the French enlisted help from the Kurdish Milli tribe to control the whole region east of Euphrates river up to the Tigris.

Kurdish-led authorities subsequently installed the "Dêrik prison" for captured Islamic State members in al-Malikiyah.

[10] In May 2020, reports emerged that Russia had begun building a new military base in Qeser Dib, a village outside of al-Malikiyah.

The base is operated by United States Special Forces and a Combat Action Team who patrol in Bradley Fighting Vehicles.

[13][14][15][12] On 2 February 2022, four civilians were killed after an armed Turkish drone bombed a power station near the city.

Al-Malikiyah has seen a dramatic urban expansion and real estate development in recent years which led to many streets being extended to new neighborhoods that are now part of the continually growing town.