Jebel Akhdar War

Quick Facts: Who was Jebel Akhdar War?

Subject:

Jebel Akhdar War

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Oman's internal conflict against foreign oil interests and Sultanate control.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Jebel Akhdar War (Arabic: حرب الجبل الأخضر, romanized: Ḥarb al-Jebel el-ʾAkhḍar, lit. 'the Green Mountain War'), also known as the Jebel Akhdar Rebellion or the Oman War (Arabic: حرب عمان, romanized: Ḥarb ʻumān), broke out in 1954 and again in 1957 in Oman, as an effort by the local Omanis in the interior of Oman led by their elected Imam, Ghalib al-Hinai, to protect the Imamate of Oman from the occupation plans of Said bin Taimur, sultan of Muscat and Oman, backed by the British government. The latter parties were eager to gain access to the oil wells in the interior lands of Oman. Sultan Said received direct financing to raise an armed force to occupy the Imamate of Oman from Iraq Petroleum Company (IPC), a consortium of oil companies that was predominately owned by companies known today as Shell, Total, ExxonMobil and British Petroleum (BP). The latter was majority-owned by the British government.

Career & Major Achievements

The Imamate was eventually supported by Arab states. The war lasted until 1959, when the British armed forces decided to intervene directly by launching air and ground attacks on the Imamate. With that help, the Sultanate won the war. The declarations signed by the sultans of Muscat to consult the British government on all important matters, the unequal trade treaties signed by the two sides favoring British interests, the cession of the Omani Kuria Muria islands to the British, and the vast control over the Sultanate's government ministries, including defense and foreign affairs, exerted by the British rendered the Sultanate a de facto British colony. The United Nations General Assembly adopted the 'Question of Oman' resolution in 1965, 1966 and again in 1967; it called upon the British government to cease all repressive action against the locals, and end British control over Oman.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

It reaffirmed the inalienable right of the Omani people to self-determination and independence. In the mid-18th century, Ahmed bin Sa'id Al Busaidi expelled the Persians from Oman and became the elected Imam of Oman, with Rustaq as its capital. Following Imam Ahmed's death in 1783, his son, Said bin Ahmed became the elected Imam. Afterwards, a hereditary line of succession ruled by Al Busaidi Sultans started in Muscat during the 19th century, except for a short period of time when Azzan bin Qais became an elected Imam (1868–1871). The British Empire was keen to dominate southeast Arabia to stifle the growing power of other European states and to curb the Omani maritime power that grew during the 17th century.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1783: 1783 Milestone — Following Imam Ahmed's death in 1783, his son, Said bin Ahmed became the elected Imam.
2. 1868: 1868 Milestone — Afterwards, a hereditary line of succession ruled by Al Busaidi Sultans started in Muscat during the 19th century, except for a short period of time when Azzan bin Qais became an elected Imam (1868–1871).
3. 1954: 1954 Milestone — 'the Green Mountain War'), also known as the Jebel Akhdar Rebellion or the Oman War (Arabic: حرب عمان, romanized: Ḥarb ʻumān), broke out in 1954 and again in 1957 in Oman, as an effort by the local Omanis in the interior of Oman led by their elected Imam, Ghalib al-Hinai, to protect the Imamate of Oman from the occupation plans of Said bin Taimur, sultan of Muscat and Oman, backed by the British government.
4. 1959: 1959 Milestone — The war lasted until 1959, when the British armed forces decided to intervene directly by launching air and ground attacks on the Imamate.
5. 1965: 1965 Milestone — The United Nations General Assembly adopted the 'Question of Oman' resolution in 1965, 1966 and again in 1967; it called upon the British government to cease all repressive action against the locals, and end British control over Oman.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Jebel Akhdar War

True or False: “The Jebel Akhdar War was solely a dispute over tribal succession within the Imamate of Oman.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While internal power struggles existed, the conflict escalated significantly due to foreign interests, particularly British-backed oil companies seeking access to interior resources.

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