[1] The Fadhli Sultanate was one of the original "Nine Cantons" that signed protection agreements with Great Britain in the early 20th century and became part of the British Aden Protectorate.

[citation needed] The Sultan of Lahej for many years paid annual subsidies to the neighbouring tribes, including the Fadhli, through whose territory the trade of the country passed, and these payments were at first continued by the British Government on condition of the Chiefs remaining in friendly alliance.

Owing, however, to the weakness of the character of Sultan Ali bin Muhsin of Lahej, through wh––om it was the early policy of the British Agent to transact all business with the Arabs of the country round Aden, the neighbouring tribes ventured for some years to perpetrate a series of atrocities upon individual British officers and others, which the Sultan was quite unable to prevent or punish.

Within gunshot of the fortifications of Aden he plundered a caravan, and assembled a large force with the object of destroying the crops of the Abdali and defying the authority of the British Government.

All other overtimes were declined and, in March 1867, a letter was received from the Sultan stating his wish to send his elder son to tender the submission of the tribe.

A safe conduct was granted and finally a Treaty, embodying the prescribed terms, was signed by the Sultan in 1867, the Resident agreeing on the part of the British Government that the past should be forgotten.

Sultan Ahmed bin Abdulla died in February 1870, and was succeeded by his eldest son, Haidara, who was assassinated in August 1877.

In July 1879 Sultan Husein, being found to be implicated in certain intrigues, which had for their object a rebellion in the Fadhli country, was arrested and deported to Bombay.

[1] In 1872 the tribe agreed to abolish transit duties on goods conveyed to and from Aden through their territories, in consideration of which the Chief’s stipend was further increased to 180 dollars a month.

[1] In 1881 a boundary dispute, which had long caused ill-feeling between the Fadhli and Abdali, was terminated by the conclusion of a Treaty defining their respective limits.

[1] In 1888 territorial disputes arose between the Lower Yafai and the Fadhli and the former cut off the water supply of the Naza Canal; a desultory strife continued for some time between the tribes with occasional short truces.

[1] Hostilities with the Yafai recommenced in consequence of the Sultan having established a new customs post at Zinjibar, for the purpose of levying dues on qafilahs.

In reply to representations on the subject be urged that these were only fees willingly paid for escorts furnished to caravans beyond his own limits, and the matter was not pursued.