Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06MUSCAT792
2006-05-17 13:47:00
SECRET
Embassy Muscat
Cable title:  

MILITARY LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN AGAINST SOMALI

Tags:  PINS PREF MOPS PREL SMIG KCRM SENV SO MU 
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S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 MUSCAT 000792 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/ARP, PRM, AF/E

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/17/2026
TAGS: PINS PREF MOPS PREL SMIG KCRM SENV SO MU
SUBJECT: MILITARY LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN AGAINST SOMALI
INFILTRATORS

REF: MUSCAT 687

Classified By: Ambassador Gary A Grappo. Reason: 1.4 (a,b,d).

-------
Summary
-------

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 MUSCAT 000792

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/ARP, PRM, AF/E

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/17/2026
TAGS: PINS PREF MOPS PREL SMIG KCRM SENV SO MU
SUBJECT: MILITARY LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN AGAINST SOMALI
INFILTRATORS

REF: MUSCAT 687

Classified By: Ambassador Gary A Grappo. Reason: 1.4 (a,b,d).

--------------
Summary
--------------


1. (C) Reflecting growing public concern over violent
incidents involving infiltration by Somali and Yemeni illegal
migrants across the Oman-Yemen border, the Omani army, air
force, special forces and police have launched operations in
Oman's southern Dhofar region that have reportedly already
swept up 1,000 infiltrators. With the Sultan currently
present in that region on vacation, Oman's top service chiefs
have taken personal charge of the operations. While coverage
of the ongoing operations is not permitted in the local
press, the Omani public reaction to the government efforts
has been overwhelmingly positive. End summary.

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Increasing Problems with Somali Infiltrators
--------------


2. (C) The Omani government is dramatically escalating its
response to the problem of Somali and other illegal migrants
infiltrating across the border with Yemen into Oman's
southern Dhofar region (reftel). There are credible reports
that a woman was shot dead by an infiltrator in early May
near the Omani town of Rakhyut on the Yemen border after she
reportedly refused to give him food and drink. Sources have
reported an increase in the number of recently reported
thefts and other crimes, including violent ones, related to
the infiltrators, as well as general public shock over the
Omani woman's murder. There are anecdotal reports that
Dhofaris have even stayed home from work out of concern for
defenseless family members. This strong public reaction, no
doubt amplified by the Sultan's presence in Dhofar on
vacation, has forced Omani security officials to step up
efforts to tackle the problem.


3. (SBU) Contacts from a small village in Jebel Samhan east
of Salalah have confirmed that the presence of the

infiltrators has become increasingly aggravating since they
have destroyed a number of frankincense trees, which are a
major source of income for the people of the region and one
of the Sultanate's cultural symbols. Sources have varied
widely as to the exact number of African infiltrators
(primarily Somalis but also including some Eritreans),
ranging from about 300 to nearly 4,000. While some Somalis
were reportedly initially hired by locals to help harvest
frankincense, the migrants have now taken to the
environmentally delicate business on their own.

-------------- --------------
Military Efforts to Halt the Flow of Infiltrators
-------------- --------------


4. (SBU) The problem of Somali infiltration is not new; in
2004, the Royal Oman Police (ROP) Criminal Investigations
Department hoped to halt the flow of illegal migrants by
establishing a series of identification checkpoints in the
region. The security measures were effective in reducing the
Somali presence in Salalah, though the problem persisted in
the rural areas. The Royal Army of Oman (RAO) Border
Security Command, which is leading the current military
operations, is the agency primarily responsible for land
border security along the Yemen frontier, but other military
agencies have also been mobilized in an effort to respond
more aggressively to the increased threat.


5. (C) The RAO has begun conducting broad, aggressive patrols
in the border area and mounting various roadblocks and
checkpoints. The Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO) is providing
air support, mainly for transportation and logistics.
Signifying the political importance of the operation, both
the RAO and RAFO commanders are personally on the scene
directing actions. The Sultan's Special Forces (SSF) is also
conducting operations, but these are targeted at specific
areas or groups deemed a threat. Military contacts have made
it clear that the operation has become larger in scope and
duration than they originally anticipated, but remain
positive in their overall assessment of the operation's
effectiveness.


6. (C) RAFO Commander Air Vice Marshall Yahya al-Jumaah has
described the mission objective, in a May 16 meeting with USG
officials, as establishing "a clear red line" to secure the
region by pushing back and establishing control when the
situation calls for it, while also stressing protection of
human rights. Omani military officials have not been
reluctant to take a hard approach when necessary. According
to an Egyptian Embassy contact, the security operations in
Dhofar have so far netted about 1,000 infiltrators, though
there is no information on breakdown by citizenship.

--------------
Omani Public Effusive With Praise
--------------


7. (SBU) With a prohibition on media coverage of the military
operations, Internet message board Al-Sablah has become the
most popular venue for public discussion on the matter. A
special link on the message board has been created to cover
the topic, though it too carries a warning that discussion on
details of ongoing military operations is prohibited. A
recent entry, quickly removed, claimed that there have been
casualties among the military forces during the operation.
The original link to the topic on the operation generated
more than 33,770 hits and 245 responses overwhelmingly
praising security officials for handling the situation. One
entry claimed that the total number of infiltrators is
between 2,000 and 4,000 and that some have automatic weapons.

--------------
Comment
--------------


8. (S) The Omani government is being typically mum in public
on these operations, making a precise assessment on the true
scope of the infiltrator problem difficult. In a call at the
Palace Office two weeks ago, the Ambassador was told that the
organization had been ordered by "the national leadership" to
address the problem before it escalated. The fact that
Oman's top military service chiefs are personally overseeing
operations, and that nearly every branch of Oman's military
and security services are joining the effort, further
confirms that the operations are now a top national priority.
GRAPPO