The statement "Sonni Ali created a large empire that controlled the city of Timbuktu" is **True**.
Here's why:
1. Sonni Ali was a ruler of the Songhai Empire in West Africa during the late 15th and early 16th centuries.
2. He is known for significantly expanding the territory of the Songhai Empire through military conquests.
3. One of the major cities that Sonni Ali's empire controlled was Timbuktu, which was a center of trade, learning, and culture in the region.
4. By controlling Timbuktu, Sonni Ali was able to exert authority over an important city that played a crucial role in trans-Saharan trade and intellectual pursuits.
Therefore, the statement is true as Sonni Ali did create a large empire that indeed controlled the city of Timbuktu as part of its territories.
