The Sheikhdom of al-ʽIrqa (Arabic: مشيخة آل عرقة, romanized: Mashyakhat al-ʽIrqa^[2]) was a city-state^[3] which was part of the Protectorate of South Arabia, and existed from the 19th century to 1951.

The Sheikhdom was established in the 19th century.^[4]

Starting in 1888, the Shaikh of Irqa received a stipend from the British Empire.^[5] A Protectorate Treaty was concluded with him in that year on 27 April,^[6] and was ratified on 26 February 1890.^[5]

Shaikh Awadh bin Muhammad ba Das died in January 1901. He was succeeded by Shaikh Ahmed bin Awadh bin Muhammad ba Das. A new Protectorate Treaty was concluded with the latter in January 1902, when his stipend was increased from 80 to 180 dollars.^[5]

Shaikh Ahmed bin Awadh ba Das died on 21 October 1935. His grandson, Ahmad ibn `Abd Allah ibn `Abd Allah ibn `Awad Ba Das, was elected as his successor the following day.^[7]

In c. 1951, Irqa was incorporated into Wahidi Balhaf.^[2]

The rulers of al-`Irqa bore the title Shaykh al-`Irqa.^[2]

In 1946, the Sheikhdom of al-`Irqa had a population of 500.^[8]

A report in 1946 described al-`Irqa as a "small fishing village".^[9]