Omani Liberation Army

This file relates to the military situation in Muscat and Oman, regarding the loss of control of the Sultan of Muscat and Oman Saeed Bin Taimur over central Oman. It contains correspondence concerning:

• The Local Intelligence Committee (Persian Gulf)’s appreciation of the military situation after the Muscat Government’s loss of control
• The Sultan’s request to HMG for immediate military assistance
• Various discussions between the Political Residency in the Persian Gulf, the Consulate General in Muscat, the Ministry of Defence, the Foreign Secretary and HMG’s military commanders in the Gulf, concerning the courses of action regarding the Oman situation. It includes RAF reconnaissance of the area; the question of authorising offensive air action; the use of the Trucial Oman Scouts (TOS) in Muscat; and the deployment of a company of Cameronians to Muscat. It also includes the final military plan drawn up by C A Gault with four phases involving, the sealing of the dissident area, leafletting, air attacks on forts at Izki, Nizwa and Tanuf and possible air attacks on selected villages
• The question of leaflet production for distribution by the RAF by air in Oman. It includes the use of production facilities in Cyprus; an example leaflet in Greek; and the finalised Arabic leaflet with the Sultan’s signature
• The future visit of the US Consul-General at Dhahran to Muscat; and the Sultan’s eventual postponement of the visit
• The question of publicity of HMG’s actions in Muscat and Oman. It includes the informing of various embassies of HMG; the Foreign Secretary’s instructions on the line to be taken on the subject; the increasing interest of journalists in the conflict; a BBC news report on HMG’s military assistance to the Sultan; and reports in the Baghdad press. It also includes discussion of the reaction of various countries, including Sudan, Morocco and Jordan
• The impact of the situation in Oman on the Trucial States and J P Tripp’s efforts to keep up to date. It includes Tripp’s conversations with Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan of Abu Dhabi on the subject; the issue of visas for other Gulf nationals for the Trucial States; and the line he will take with the Rulers if questions are asked about the deployment of the TOS in Muscat
• The Foreign Secretary’s reply to a question in the House of Commons concerning the situation in Oman.