Jebel Akhdar War

The Jebel Akhdar War was a conflict in Oman from 1954 to 1959. It involved a struggle between two different political systems. One system was the Imamate of Oman located in the interior. This group was led by an elected leader named Ghalib al-Hinai. The other system was the Sultanate of Muscat and Oman. This coastal group was led by Sultan Said bin Taimur. The war was driven by a desire to control territory and natural resources.

The primary cause of the conflict was the search for oil. Large oil companies wanted to reach potential wells in the interior. One major group was the Iraq Petroleum Company, or IPC. This consortium included companies like Shell, Total, ExxonMobil, and British Petroleum. The British government supported the Sultan to gain access to these lands. The IPC provided direct financing to help the Sultan raise an armed force. This force was intended to occupy the Imamate lands.

To understand the war, one must look at Oman's long history. In the mid-18th century, Ahmed bin Sa'id Al Busaidi became the elected Imam. His descendants, the Al Busaidi family, later ruled as Sultans in Muscat. For centuries, the interior and the coast had different ways of governing. In 1920, the Treaty of Seeb established a period of peace. This treaty recognized the Sultanate's sovereignty on the coast. It also granted autonomous rule to the Imamate in the interior.

Relations changed as the value of oil increased in the region. In 1928, the Red Line Agreement was signed by several major companies. This agreement helped them manage oil production in the post-Ottoman Empire area. Each of the four main companies held 23.75 percent of the shares. In 1937, the Sultan signed a deal giving oil concessions to the IPC. This agreement included a sizable signature bonus for the Sultan. The IPC suggested that oil might exist in the interior. They offered to fund an army to help the Sultan reach it.

The Sultanate had become very closely tied to the British Empire. By the late 19th century, Muscat relied heavily on British loans. The British government exerted control over many government ministries. They managed the defense and foreign affairs departments. The British Political Agent resided in Muscat to oversee these interests. This level of influence made the Sultanate a de facto British colony. The British favored the Sultan because they wanted to secure oil reserves. They saw oil as insurance against instability in the Middle East.

The war involved several stages of military and political pressure. Fighting broke out in 1954 and again in 1957. The Imamate received support from various Arab states during the conflict. However, the tide turned in 1959 due to direct British intervention. The British armed forces used both air and ground attacks.

These military actions helped the Sultanate win the war. This period of fighting ended the autonomous rule of the Imamate.

The conflict had lasting effects on international law and Omani rights. After the war, the United Nations became involved in the situation. In 1965, 1966, and 1967, the General Assembly passed several resolutions. These resolutions addressed the "Question of Oman." The United Nations called for the British to end repressive actions. They also demanded that Britain end its control over the country. Most importantly, they reaffirmed the right of Omani people to self-determination. This meant the people had the right to choose their own government and independence.