The crossed "Khanjar" motif of the state coat of arms is a common motif in flags and badges of the SAF

The Sultan of Oman's Armed Forces (SAF) are the Royal Army of Oman, Navy, Air Force and other defence forces of the Sultanate of Oman. Since their formal establishment in the early 1950's, with British assistance they have twice overcome insurgencies which have threatened the integrity or social structure of the state, and more recently have contributed contingents or facilities to coalitions formed to protect the Persian Gulf states. Oman coat of arms File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Oman coat of arms File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... The Royal Army of Oman effectively meets its goal as protector of Omani sovereignty. ...

History

Prior to 1954, when Said bin Taimur became ruler of Muscat and Oman, the defence of the region was guaranteed by treaties with Britain. The only armed forces were tribal levies and a palace guard recruited from Baluchistan in Pakistan (due to a historical quirk by which the Sultan also owned the port of Gwadur). 1954 (MCMLIV) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Said Bin Taimur (1910-1972) was the sultan of Muscat and Oman (the country later renamed to Oman) from 1932 to 1970. ... Muscat and Oman was a country that encompassed the present day Sultanate of Oman and parts of the United Arab Emirates(UAE). ... Baluchistan (or Balochistan), also known as Greater Baluchistan is an arid region of south Asia, presently split between Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan. ...

Prior to that year, there had been a dispute with Saudi Arabia over the ownership of the Buraimi Oasis, which was important for oil exploration rights. This was settled by arbitration which involved Britain. Ghalib bin Ali, the Imam of Oman (the religious and secular leader of the interior), was defying the Sultan's authority. (The Imam was supposedly an elected ruler, but by this time the post had largely become hereditary.) To prevent the Imam interfering with the settlement over Buraimi, a battalion-sized task force, the Muscat and Oman Field Force was raised, and occupied the town of Ibri. Buraimi is an oasis town in northeastern Oman, on the border with the United Arab Emirates. ... Ibri is a city in northeastern Oman. ...

At this point, the SAF consisted of:

Batinah Force (an infantry unit raised from the coastal region north of Muscat)

Muscat Regiment (the expanded former Palace Guard).

Muscat and Oman Field Force

Some British officers were attached to each unit.

Jebel Akhdar campaigns

With the Field Force occupying part of his territory, Ghalib tried to declare the interior of Oman independent, but in December 1955 the Field Force captured Ghalib at the town of Rostaq. He was released on recognisances. Look up December in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... 1955 (MCMLV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Rustaq (Arabic: ) is a town in the region Al Bāţinah, in northern Oman. ...

The Imam's rebellion had no political aims other than the increase of his own authority, and greater autonomy for the tribes in the interior of Oman. If anything, the social policies of the Imamate were even more reactionary than those of the Sultan. However, Radio Cairo continually represented the uprising as part of a general campaign against Western Imperialism in the region. See also colonialism Imperialism is a policy of extending control or authority over foreign entities as a means of acquisition and/or maintenance of empires, either through direct territorial conquest or settlement, or through indirect methods of exerting control on the politics and/or economy of other countries. ...

Rebellion in 1957

Talib bin Ali, the Imam's brother, had fled to Saudi Arabia. He returned from there in 1957 with 300 well-equipped fighters, and the insurrection broke out again. Talib's forces occupied a fortified tower near Nizwa, which the Field Force lacked the heavy weapons to destroy. After some weeks' inconclusive fighting, Suleiman bin Himyar, the Sheikh of one of the major tribes in the interior, openly proclaimed his defiance of the Sultan, and began a general uprising. The Muscat and Oman Field Force was largely destroyed as it tried to retreat through hostile towns and villages. 1957 (MCMLVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Nizwa (نزوى in Arabic) was the capital city of Oman proper. ...

The rebellion was suppressed by the Muscat Regiment and the Trucial Oman Levies from the neighbouring United Arab Emirates. The decisive factor however, was the intervention of infantry (two companies of the Cameronians) and armoured car detachments from the British Army and aircraft of the RAF. Talib's forces retreated to the inaccessible Jebel Akhdar. The SAF's attacks up the few paths up the Jebel were easily repelled. Cameronian was a name given to a section of the Scottish Covenanters who followed the teachings of Richard Cameron, and who were composed prinicpally of those who signed the Sanquhar Declaration in 1680. ... The British Army is the land armed forces branch of the British Armed Forces. ... The Royal Air Force (often abbreviated to RAF) is the air force branch of the British Armed Forces. ... For the Jebel Akhdar region of Libya, see Jebel Akhdar (Libya) The Jebel Akhdar or Djebel Akhdar (Arabic for Green Mountains) is a mountainous region in Oman, rising to a height of 3075 meters. ...

Stalemate 1957 - 1959

The Sultan's army was reorganised under a British soldier, Colonel David Smiley. The Batinah Force was renamed the Northern Frontier Regiment and the remnants of the Muscat and Oman Field Force merged into the new Oman Regiment. Within each unit and sub-unit, Baluchi and Arab soldiers were mixed. This prevented units defecting to or openly sympathising with the rebels, but led to tensions within units, and orders were frequently not followed because of language problems. Many of the notionally Omani soldiers were recruited from the province of Dhofar, and looked down upon by other Arabs. The Dhofar (Arabic ظفار Ẓufār) region lies in Oman, east of Yemen. ...

The Army was still unable to deal with Talib's stronghold. For two years, infiltrators continually mined the roads around the Jebel, and ambushed SAF and British detachments and oil company vehicles. The few paths up the Jebel were far too narrow to deploy attacking battalions or even companies. The SAF were spread in small detachments in the towns and villages at the foot of the Jebel, and thus vulnerable and on the defensive. Their arms (mainly British weapons of World War II vintage were less effective than the up-to-date equipment used by Talib's fighters. A SAF artillery unit with two 5.5 inch medium guns harassed the settlements on the plateau on top of the Jebel Akhdar, to little effect. Combatants Allies: Poland, British Commonwealth, France/Free France, Soviet Union, United States, China, and others Axis Powers: Germany, Italy, Japan, and others Casualties Military dead: 17 million Civilian dead: 33 million Total dead: 50 million Military dead: 8 million Civilian dead: 4 million Total dead: 12 million World War II... BL 5. ...

It was estimated by some British officers that a full-scale attack by a British brigade would be required to recapture the jebel. Smiley and others felt that a smaller operation by Special Forces with air support would suffice. Eventually in 1959, two squadrons from the British Special Air Service Regiment scaled the southern face of the Jebel, taking the rebels by surprise. Supplies were parachuted to them once they reached the plateau; this may have misled some of the rebels into thinking that this was an assault by paratroops. There was little further fighting. Talib and his fighters either melted back into the local population or fled to Saudi Arabia. 1959 (MCMLIX) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... SAS Cap Badge Official force name Special Air Service Nicknames The Regiment The SAS (British Army phonetic) the sass (discouraged by the unit itself) Motto Who Dares Wins Description Britains main Special Operations Force. ...

Later operations in Oman

Some insurgents continued to cross into Oman from Saudi Arabia or via the UAE, and laid landmines which continued to cause casualties to SAF units and civilian vehicles. The SAF lacked the numbers to prevent this infiltration. A paramilitary force, the Oman Gendarmerie was formed in 1960 to assist the SAF in this task, and also to take over normal policing duties. The landmine campaign eventually dwindled away. 1960 (MCMLX) was a leap year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1960 calendar). ...

The only apparent threat to Oman at this point appeared to be a shadowy Marxist group who attempted to assassinate the Sultan's Interior Minister, and may also have planted bombs on civil aircraft.

Dhofar campaign

Main article: Dhofar Rebellion The Dhofar Rebellion was an insurrection in the province of Dhofar against the Sultanate of Muscat and Oman from 1962 to 1975. ...

In 1964, a rebellion began in the southern province of Dhofar, again supported by Saudi Arabia. The initial aims of the rebellion were greater autonomy for the region, and an improvement in its living standards. The population of Dhofar was discriminated against by the Sultan and government. Dhofari soldiers were also victimised in the Sultan's Army. Former SAF soldiers initially formed a large part of the rebel force. For the Nintendo 64 emulator, see 1964 (Emulator). ... The Dhofar (Arabic ظفار Ẓufār) region lies in Oman, east of Yemen. ...

The Sultan's forces in Dhofar consisted only of an irregular Dhofar Force, recruited from local "jibali" tribes. Only in 1965 were two battalions of the SAF sent to the province. Most units of the Omani Army at this time were understrength, and badly equipped and trained. The air force consisted of a few piston-engined transport and ground-attack aircraft. The navy possessed a single dhow. 1965 (MCMLXV) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1965 calendar). ... A Dhow near Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. ...

The Dhofar Force was disbanded in 1966, after some of its members tried to assassinate the Sultan. The Desert Regiment was raised to replace it. The Southern Regiment was also formed and all Baluchi soldiers were eventually concentrated in the two battalions of this regiment, although the change took several years to implement fully. 1966 (MCMLXVI) was a common year starting on Saturday (the link is to a full 1966 calendar). ...

The rebellion continued at a low level until 1967. In that year, the establishment of the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen (PDRY) adjacent to Dhofar, gave the rebels access to sources of arms, supplies and recruits, and also radicalised the rebel movement. As the PFLOAG, this sought the overthrow of the Sultanate and other pro-Western regimes in the Persian Gulf. 1967 (MCMLXVII) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar (the link is to a full 1967 calendar). ... National motto: none Official language Arabic Capital Aden Area 287,680 km² Population  - Total (1973)  - Density 1,590,275 5. ...

By 1969, the Adoo, as the rebels were known, had overrun much of Dhofar, and there were attacks on SAF positions elsewhere in Oman. It was clear to the Sultan's British backers and advisors that the situation was critical. Said bin Taimur's rule had been reactionary and despotic. Almost all progress since the Middle Ages had been outlawed in Oman. In 1970, the Sultan was overthrown in a palace coup, almost certainly with British connivance. His son, Qaboos bin Said, replaced him. 1969 (MCMLXIX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1969 calendar). ... 1970 (MCMLXX) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1970 calendar). ... Sayyed Qaboos ibn Sa`id Al Bu Sa`id (born November 18, 1940) is the current Sultan of Oman. ...

Reform and modernisation

Qaboos had attended the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and served as an officer in the British Army. His outlook was far wider and more liberal than his father's. He immediately instituted major social and military reforms throughout the country. As part of a "hearts and minds" campaign to win over the population of Dhofar, an amnesty was declared for surrendered rebels. Former rebels formed Firqat irregular units, trained and assisted by teams from the Special Air Service. The Firqats eventually numbered 1800, and deprived the rebels of local support in their home areas. New College, Royal Military Academy Sandhurst The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (commonly known as Sandhurst) is the British Army officer initial training centre. ...

Meanwhile the regular units of the Army were expanded and re-equipped. More Omanis were recruited and Baluchis concentrated in their own units. Large numbers of officers and NCO instructors seconded from the British Army and Royal Marines were attached to units. (There were also several British and Commonwealth mercenaries). Two new infantry units were raised in 1971: the Frontier Force in Dhofar, and the Jebel Regiment in the interior of Oman. The British Army is the land armed forces branch of the British Armed Forces. ... Her Majestys Royal Marines, usually just known as the Royal Marines (RM), are the United Kingdoms amphibious force and a core component of the countrys Rapid Deployment Force. ... 1971 (MCMLXXI) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1971 calendar). ...

The various supporting arms, which had previously existed as ad hoc units and detachments were also formally established. The new corps were the Artillery Regiment, Signal Regiment, Armoured Car Squadron, Engineering Unit, Garrison Detachment and the Training Regiment. The Oman Gendarmerie was also strengthened and modernised.

The Air Force acquired BAC Strikemaster and Hawker Hunter attack aircraft, Shorts Skyvan and Caribou transport aircraft, and UH-1 Iroquois helicopters, flown by seconded RAF or contract (i.e. mercenary) pilots. The BAC 167 Strikemaster was a light jet-powered attack aircraft. ... The Hawker Hunter was a British jet fighter aircraft of the 1950s/1960s. ... The Short Skyvan is a 19 seater twin turboprop aircraft usage: short haul freight and parachute dropping See also:List of civil aircraft Related Content Comparable Aircraft Antonov An-28 - Farchild Dornier 228 - DHC-6 Twin Otter - IAI Arava- GAF Nomad - Harbin Y-12 External link Pink Aviation Services, Austria... The de Havilland Canada DHC-4 Caribou (known in the US military as the C-7 Caribou) was designed as a specialized transport for STOL (short takeoff and landing). ... Australian Army Iroquois The Bell UH-1 Iroquois, commonly (or officially in the USMC) known as the Huey, was a multipurpose military helicopter, famous for its use in the Vietnam war. ...

Later operations in Dhofar

The army established lines of defensive posts to block rebel movements and supply trains, assisted by troops supplied by the Shah of Iran. The process took time, but by 1972 the rebels were being starved of support. To retrieve the situation, they launched a major attack on the coastal town of Mirbat, but were defeated by Firqats, Gendarmerie and SAS detachments, with air support. One of the worlds longest-lasting monarchies, the Iranian monarchy went through many transformations over the centuries, from the days of Persia to the creation of what is now modern day Iran. ... 1972 (MCMLXXII) was a leap year starting on Saturday (the link is to a full 1972 calendar). ... The Battle of Mirbat took place during the 1970s attempted coup in Oman. ...

In 1973, an SAF offensive intended to capture the main rebel supply base at Shershitti Caves was defeated, although an exposed position at Sarfait near the border with the PDRY was captured. This position, codenamed Simba, was held for two years. Meanwhile, the Adoo were slowly driven to the edge of their former territory. Another offensive in 1975 finally isolated the rebels from the PDRY. The rebellion was declared over in 1976. 1973 (MCMLXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday. ... 1975 (MCMLXXV) was a common year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1975 calendar). ... 1976 (MCMLXXVI) was a leap year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1976 calendar). ...

At the end of this period, the Army numbered 13,000. It was organised into a Southern Brigade (under Brigadier John Akehurst, responsible for operations in Dhofar), and a Northern Brigade which garrisoned the rest of the country. The Army's Commander-in-Chief was Major General Tim Perkins. Commander-in-Chief (in NATO-lingo often C-in-C or CINC pronounced sink) is the commander of all the military forces within a particular region or of all the military forces of a state. ...

Gulf Wars

In the years following the end of the Dhofar rebellion, the SAF continued to expand and modernise. Links with Britain remained close. One facility enjoyed by Britain was the use of the airbase on Masirah Island off the southern coast, as a staging post. The United States was granted the same facilities, which was to become important as tension increased in the Persian Gulf. In the mid-1980's the Sultan of Oman's Air Force (SOAF) operated SEPECAT Jaguar and C-130 Hercules aircraft from an in-country air base at Thumrait. The low-lying island of Masirah in Oman is the site of a significant BBC transmitting station, and is used as an airbase and a base for the American 7th fleet. ... Map of the Persian Gulf. ... The SEPECAT Jaguar is an Anglo-French ground attack aircraft in service with the Royal Air Force and several export customers, notably the Indian Air Force. ... Lockheed C-130H Hercules The Lockheed C-130 Hercules is a four-engine turboprop aircraft that serves as the main tactical airlifter for military forces worldwide. ... Thumrait is a small town in southern Oman, famous for its Royal Air Force airbase. ...

As part of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Oman assigned an infantry battalion to the force known as Peninsula Shield during the Iran-Iraq War. ... Combatants Iran Iraq Casualties Est. ...

In 1990, the Iraqi Army unexpectedly invaded Kuwait, also a member of the GCC. A large international coalition formed, first to discourage further Iraqi aggression. The aims of the coalition changed to the restoration of Kuwaiti sovereignty, as more forces were deployed to Saudi Arabia. Oman's role in First Gulf War was mainly as a base area and staging post for the large United States Air Force and British Royal Air Force contingents deployed to the Persian Gulf. Some transport aircraft and tanker aircraft flew out of Masirah, but the Sultan of Oman's Air Force did not directly participate in attacks on Iraq. This article is about the year. ... See also: 2003 invasion of Iraq and Gulf War (disambiguation) C Company, 1st Battalion, The Staffordshire Regiment, 1st UK Armoured Division The Persian Gulf War was a conflict between Iraq and a coalition force of 34 nations led by the United States. ... The United States Air Force (USAF) is the aerospace branch of the United States armed forces. ... The Royal Air Force (often abbreviated to RAF) is the air force of the United Kingdom. ... Map of the Persian Gulf. ...

An Omani battalion served in Saudi Arabia, as part of the GCC contribution to the ground war to liberate Kuwait. It formed part of the Saudi Arabian-led Task Force Omar along with the Saudi 10th Mechanised Brigade. It advanced into Kuwait on the second day of the ground offensive but had no casualties.

In 2001, Oman hosted a large contingent of the British Army, which held Exercise Saif Sareea II (in which 12500 members of the SAF also participated). The stated aims of the exercise were to practise rapid deployment and test equipment in severe conditions. It has been suggested that it was in fact a stage rehearsal for Britain's involvement in subsequent operations in the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan and 2003 Invasion of Iraq. Exercise Saif Sareea II was a major military exercise in September and October 2001 involving the military of the United Kingdom and Oman. ... Combatants al-Qaeda, Taliban Northern Alliance, United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, France, New Zealand, Italy, Germany Commanders Mohammed Omar Osama bin Laden Tommy Franks Mohammed Fahim Strength Casualties {{{notes}}} The United States invasion of Afghanistan occurred in October 2001, in the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks on... This article covers invasion specifics. ...

Present day

The SAF consists of:

• The Royal Guard

Household Troops (protection of Sultan and ceremonial duties) (4500)

Special Forces (700)

• Land Forces (23000)

One divisional HQ

Two brigade HQ

Armoured Regiment (battalion)

Armoured Car Regiment (battalion)

Eight Infantry Regiments (battalions) (three of which are Baluchi)

Four Artillery Regiments (battalions)

Engineer and Signal units and service corps (see above)

• Navy (4000)

Two al-Qahir class corvettes

Four Province class Fast Attack Craft

Four Brooke Marine patrol craft

One landing ship, three landing craft

• Air Force (4500)

Two squadrons Jaguar attack aircraft

Two squadrons Strikemaster and Defender counter-insurgency aircraft

Three squadrons Skyvan and other transport aircraft

Two squadrons helicopters

• Oman Police Service (?)

Since the defeat of the Dhofar insurgents, the likelihood of internal strife caused by poverty or tribal dissension has steadily decreased due to the increasing standards of living, and the provision of public health and education. French steam corvette Dupleix (1856-1887) Canadian corvettes on antisubmarine convoy escort duty during World War II. A corvette is a small, maneuverable, lightly armed warship, smaller than a frigate. ... S71 Gepard, Gepard class fast attack craft A Fast Attack Craft (FAC) (German: Schnellboot) is a small (150 to 400 tonnes), fast (up to ca. ...

Tension on Oman's western border has lessened since the establishment in 1990 of the Republic of Yemen. Oman owns the tip of the Mussandam Peninsula in the Persian Gulf, which may be significant in future conflicts in the region. This article is about the year. ... The Musandam (Arabic: مسندم) peninsula is an exclave region of Oman that is separated from the rest of the country by the United Arab Emirates. ...

The army has steadily decreased its dependence on British and other foreign assistance, and increased its degree of mechanisation, although emphasis on light infantry operations remains; as part of their training, soldiers repeat the SAS ascent of the Jebel Akhdar in 1959. The Navy is one of the most modern in the region, and the Air Force is respected. 1959 (MCMLIX) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

In any future major regional conflict, Oman can almost certainly rely on support and aid from Britain and the United States.

External links

• U.S. Government site
• kamouflage.net index of Oman's camouflage

Sources

• Warlords of Oman, by Philip Allfree, 1967, Barnes
• Desert Warrior, by HRH Khaled bin Sultan, 1995, Harper Collins, ISBN 000255612 X