VICTORY IN HADES: THE FORGOTTEN WARS OF THE OMAN 1957-1959 and 1970-1976 PART 2: THE DHOFAR CAMPAIGN 1970-1976

Abstract

Section A

Similarities and contrasts

During the years 1970-1976 Oman was once again a theatre of operations in which the Sultan's forces, supported by pro-Western powers, succeeded in defeating the insurgent forces seeking to destroy the established power structure of Oman. In many respects, the political configuration of this second war bore many close resemblances to the first1 . One had, as in the first campaign of 1957 -1959, the active military participation of Britain; in terms of both leadership and the active involvement of British units (including the Special Air Service Regiment - SAS - who, as in the first Omani campaign, were to playa major role in the war). One also has the same motivation underlying British participation; viz. the determination to retain Oman's crucial strategic position (centring upon the Musandam Peninsula, and its control of the Straits of Hormuz). Moreover, as in the first Campaign, one observes the active participation of neighbouring states of the Middle East in support of the Sultan; in the war of 1957-1959 these states comprised the Trucial Oman States, to which Britain was closely related via long standing treaty obligations, and whose active military support was manifested in the presence of the Trucial Oman Scouts (TOS). In the latter Campaign of 1970-1976, the support emanated from Jordan and Iran.