Job Discussion Forums

jdl · Joined: 06 Apr 2005 Posts: 632 Location: cyberspace

Recently Yemen has experienced an increase in civil disruption. Traditionally/historically Oman and Yemen are closely tied with events in Yemen having some response in Oman. Has anyone noticed any changes in security recently? Is there any discussion, hushed or otherwise, at the colleges/universities regarding 'the yemen situation'? Dhofar may be particularly affected.

airapets · Joined: 22 Jul 2007 Posts: 78 Location: The Middle Kingdom

Granted Ibri is far away, I haven't see anything up here to suggest anything is happening in Yemen. Further, I read two of the daily English newspapers, and very little has been mentioned about Yemen . . .

Beachee · Joined: 16 Apr 2009 Posts: 22 Location: Beachee head

The 'Yemen situation' has not increased or changed in any way over the last few years. The relationship between the Dhofaris and Yemenis stays as strong and as friendly as ever. There is no increased security, nor is there any requirement for security - increased or otherwise.

jdl · Joined: 06 Apr 2005 Posts: 632 Location: cyberspace

Interesting in that Yemen is in the papers internationally with reports that the armed dissention in the provinces along the Saudi border is almost beyond containment. Aden has also reported problems. Do you believe that the incidents are under reported in the Observer and Times....?. Have you noticed any increase in 'road checks'?

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

When I first worked in Oman, they were still having regular border skirmishes with Yemen. (as in shooting battles) Even then, it was never discussed, mentioned in the English news or English newspapers. It was likely more of a topic down in the Salalah area or among people working with the military.

But, really... this is Yemen's problem and I don't see how it would affect Oman at all once beyond the borderposts if even there.

VS

Beachee · Joined: 16 Apr 2009 Posts: 22 Location: Beachee head

There is no increased security, nor is there any requirement for security - increased or otherwise.

See above quote - i think it is fairly clear.

jdl · Joined: 06 Apr 2005 Posts: 632 Location: cyberspace

In less than 50 years Oman has moved from the state of tribal fiefdoms and uncertain national governance to what, outwordly now, is an "Oasis of Peace in the Middle East". This has been achieved by a great deal of vigilance regarding internal security coupled with a very well purposed plan of social engineering. What has been achieved in Oman in 50 years is nothing short of phenominal! As VS has noted it was not long ago that 'skirmishes' were an occurance in the South while as recently as 6 years ago 'Intellectual rumblings' in the North resulted in trials and pardons with National and International scope.

It is a testament to the government that calm and peace are taken for granted without the appearance of a 'need for security'.

Pikgitina · Joined: 09 Jan 2006 Posts: 420 Location: KSA

Quite impressive that Oman is deemed to be one of the most peaceful countries in the world, at least according to those links posted on the Saudi Arabia board.

Now if those road accident and road death rates could just come down Crying or Very sad

.

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2009 6:07 pm Post subject:

jdl · Joined: 06 Apr 2005 Posts: 632 Location: cyberspace

It is a very nice place to settle. We are fortunate indeed. As an Omani buddy says, "In Oman we are free: do as you like, but don't make noise for anybody" A smile and an open hand go along way here.

And the traffic? Even in the middle of the Sharqiya (Wahiba Sands) one can find the blue water truck, taxi cab and evidence of an accident or two. That is the life!

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

jdl · Joined: 06 Apr 2005 Posts: 632 Location: cyberspace

His Majesty is even on Facebook

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Really? I must go check...

VS

Neil McBeath · Joined: 01 Dec 2005 Posts: 277 Location: Saudi Arabia

JDL,

I sometimes think, when I read these posts, that people are living in a parallel universe.

I served in the Sultan's Armed Forces from 1981 to 2005. From 1985 to 1987 I was stationed at RAFO Salalah. Because of my earlier work at the Sultan's Armed Forces School, I had contacts - former students - in the Army, Navy and Air Force.

Despite what VS alleges, there were NEVER "regular border skirmishes with Yemen" and until 1990, that would have meant the Peoples Democratic Republic of South Yemen.

In the dying days of that regime there was ONE incident, and it was dealt with very quickly.

Subsequently, when the former PDRSY tried to break away from the 1990 union, and declared the Democratic Republic of Yemen, there was a brief civil war in Yemen itself. At the end of that war, a certain number of refugees and members of the Democratic Republic's Armed Forces made their way across the border. They were disarmed, and the weapons were returned to the Yemen government - and all this was reported in the press. The refugees were housed in camps, and ultimately repatriated or allowed to go on their way.

The current situation in Yemen appears to be a rerun of those North-South tensions, mixed in with inter-tribal rivalries and a dash of Islamic fundamentalism courtesy of inflitrators from Saudi Arabia. All that is cause for concern WITHIN Yemen.

So far as Oman is concerned, the Royal Oman Police have problems with cross-border smuggling, but that seems to be primarily a question of livestock - possibly infected goats. The smugglers are armed, of course, but that is par for the course in Dhofar. They are not "armed infiltrators" in the commonly accepted sense of that phrase.

jdl · Joined: 06 Apr 2005 Posts: 632 Location: cyberspace

Thank you Neil.