Dhofar rebellion

Quick Facts: Who was Dhofar rebellion?

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Dhofar rebellion

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A 1965–1979 insurgency in Dhofar, Oman, against British and Sultanic rule.

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Origins & Early Life

The Dhofar rebellion, also known as the Dhofar War, or the 9 June revolution, was a revolution that began in 1965 in the Dhofar region of the Arabian Peninsula against British imperialism and Sultans Said ibn Taimur and Qaboos bin Said of the Al Bu Said dynasty in Oman. The conflict began with the formation of the Dhofar Liberation Front, a Marxist–Leninist group which aimed to create a people's democratic state in the Persian Gulf region. The rebels also held the broader goals of Arab nationalism, which included ending British influence in the region. Sultanic and British goals, on the other hand, were to halt "the spread of communism" as part of the broader Cold War. The war initially took the form of a low-level insurgency, with guerrilla warfare being used against Anglo-Sultanic forces and the foreign presence in the country.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Several factors, such as the British withdrawal from Aden and support from South Yemen and China, brought the rebels increased success, with the communists controlling the entirety of the region by the late 1960s. The 1970 Omani coup d'état led to the overthrow of Sultan Said bin Taimur by his reformist son Qaboos bin Said, who was backed by a major British military intervention in the conflict. The British initiated a "hearts and minds" campaign to counter the communist rebels and began the process of modernising the Sultan of Oman's Armed Forces (SAF) while simultaneously deploying the Special Air Service (SAS) to conduct anti-insurgency operations against the rebels. This approach led to a string of victories against the rebels and was boosted by the Shah of Iran's intervention in the conflict to support the Sultanate of Oman in 1973. Dhofar is a geographic region that is located in eastern South Arabia.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Its size is approximately 30,000 square miles (78,000 km2), and consists of an intermittent narrow, fertile coastal plain, on which stand Salalah, its largest city, and other towns such as Taqah and Mirbat. It had a population of about 35,000. Behind this are the rugged hills of the Jebel Dhofar. The western portion of this range is known as Jebel Qamar, the central part as the Jebel Qara, and the eastern part as the Jebel Samhan. From June to September each year, the Jebel receives moisture-laden winds, the Khareef or monsoon, and is shrouded in cloud.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1965: 1965 Milestone — The Dhofar rebellion, also known as the Dhofar War, or the 9 June revolution, was a revolution that began in 1965 in the Dhofar region of the Arabian Peninsula against British imperialism and Sultans Said ibn Taimur and Qaboos bin Said of the Al Bu Said dynasty in Oman.
2. 1970: 1970 Milestone — The 1970 Omani coup d'état led to the overthrow of Sultan Said bin Taimur by his reformist son Qaboos bin Said, who was backed by a major British military intervention in the conflict.
3. 1973: 1973 Milestone — This approach led to a string of victories against the rebels and was boosted by the Shah of Iran's intervention in the conflict to support the Sultanate of Oman in 1973.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Dhofar rebellion

True or False: “The primary goal of the Dhofar rebellion was solely to establish a purely Arab nationalist state without any communist influence.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While Arab nationalism was a goal, the movement also incorporated Marxist-Leninist ideology and aimed for a people's democratic state.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Aamir Khan — Historical peer (Born in 1965) (1965): Iconic Indian actor and filmmaker, known as "Mr. Perfectionist" in Hindi cinema.
• Aaron Kwok — Historical peer (Born in 1965) (1965): Iconic Hong Kong performer, celebrated singer, dancer, and actor.
• A. P. Elkin — Historical peer (Died in 1979) (1979): Influential Australian anthropologist and Anglican clergyman (1891–1979)
• A. Philip Randolph — Historical peer (Died in 1979) (1979): Pioneer labor unionist and civil rights activist who fought for racial equality.
• A. H. M. Jones — Historical peer (Died in 1970) (1970): Pioneering British historian of classical antiquity, specializing in the later Roman Empire.
• Abraham Maslow — Historical peer (Died in 1970) (1970): Pioneering American psychologist known for the Hierarchy of Needs and self-actualization theory.
• A. S. Neill — Historical peer (Died in 1973) (1973): Scottish progressive educator, founder of Summerhill, championing self-governance.
• Abebe Bikila — Historical peer (Died in 1973) (1973): Ethiopian Olympic marathon champion, known for his barefoot victories in Rome and Tokyo.

Frequently Asked Questions about Dhofar rebellion