Country Summary

The Sultanate of Oman was contaminated by antipersonnel and antivehicle mines, as a result of an internal conflict between 1964 and 1975 where both parties—the People’s Front for the Liberation of Oman and the Arabian Gulf (PFLOG, later shortened to PFLO), and the Royal Army of Oman (RAO)—were suspected to have used landmines.[1]

Supported by the United States (US) Mine Action Program in 1999, the Sultan’s Army Engineers of the RAO were trained in humanitarian demining.[2] In 2001, the RAO had mapped seven zones of suspected mined areas based on historical records of battlefield areas, unit positions, and mine incident reports, and determined that approximately 5,000km² of Dhofar governorate was affected by mines and explosive remnants of war (ERW).[3]

In its initial Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 report, submitted in 2015, Oman declared that there were no confirmed mined areas, but reported “many” suspected mined areas in the south, particularly in Dhofar governorate. Oman reported that all its hazardous areas were cleared before the signature of the Mine Ban Treaty but were in the process of being “re-inspected,” based on its workplan for the release of all remaining suspected mined areas before its Article 5 deadline in 2025.[4]

Oman is not reported to have conducted risk education or implemented victim assistance programs.

Treaty Status

Treaty status overview

The Mine Ban Treaty entered into force for Oman on 1 February 2015. In its most recent Article 7 report, submitted in 2021, Oman provided a workplan for the release of all remaining suspected mined areas before its Article 5 deadline of 1 February 2025.

Management and Coordination

Mine action

Mine action management and coordination overview

Oman reported in 2017 that it intended to set up a national mine action center. Oman included a workplan to complete clearance by 2025 in its Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 report for 2020.[5]

Risk education

No risk education management or coordination mechanisms were reported in Oman.

Victim assistance

Victim assistance management and coordination overview

The Ministry of Social Development is responsible for protecting the rights of persons with disabilities in Oman. The National Committee for Disabled Care was established by a ministerial decree in 2009 and is headed by the Minister for Social Development. The committee has eight subcommittees which focus on education; rehabilitation, training, and employment; transport and communication; health services; appropriate environment; sports; media; and financial affairs.[6]

The Directorate General of Disabled Affairs, within the Ministry of Social Development, creates programs for persons with disabilities in Oman and implements them in coordination with relevant authorities. The directorate is also responsible for overseeing disability rehabilitation centers.[7]

Omani citizens with disabilities are able to apply for a disability card, which enables them to access services provided by both the government and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).[8]

Laws and policies

There are a number of laws and decrees related to persons with disabilities in Oman, including:

• The Disabled Care and Rehabilitation Law, issued by Royal Decree No. 63/2008;
• The International Agreement for the Rights of the Disabled, accredited by Royal Decree No. 121/2008;
• An organizational statute to establish rehabilitation centers for persons with disabilities in Oman, issued by Ministerial Decision No. 124/2008; and
• A disabled card issuance statute, affirmed by Ministerial Decision No. 94/2008.[9]

Omani law provides persons with disabilities the same rights as other citizens in employment, education, access to healthcare, and in the provision of other state services. Yet persons with disabilities continue to face discrimination in Oman, particularly in terms of accessibility.[10]

Impact

Contamination

Contamination overview (as of December 2020)[11]

Note: ERW=explosive remnants of war.

Landmine contamination

According to Oman’s 2015 Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 report, during the mid-1960s to mid-1970s the presence of separatist movements in Dhofar led to “vast” areas becoming contaminated with antipersonnel and antivehicle mines. After the end of the conflict in 1975, the government made significant efforts to clear the contaminated areas. However, it was unsure that the areas had been fully cleared due to the size of the affected region (around 99,000km²); a lack of maps or marking; and the mountainous terrain, with many mined areas located on steep slopes. In addition, rain over the years may have scattered the mines.[12]

In 2001, the RAO had mapped seven zones of suspected mine contamination based on historical records of battlefield areas, unit positions, and mine incident reports, and determined that approximately 5,000km² of land in Dhofar governorate was affected by mines/ERW.[13] The US Department of State reported that by the end of 2002, trained Omani soldiers had cleared 1,500m² of mine contaminated land in Dhofar.[14]

Oman reported that all of its hazardous areas were cleared before the signature of the Mine Ban Treaty, but were in the process of being “re-inspected” to deal with residual risk.[15] Oman has developed a clear workplan to “re-inspect” and release its remaining 514,800m² of suspected mined areas by April 2024.[16]

Casualties

The total number of mine/ERW casualties in Oman is unknown; yet between 1975 and November 2001, 12 people were reported to have been killed and 84 wounded by mines/ERW.[17]

Addressing the Impact

Mine action

Clearance operators

Supported by the US Mine Action Program in 1999, the Sultan’s Army Engineers (SAF-E) of the RAO were trained in humanitarian demining, established a mine detection dog program, and were provided with demining equipment, landmine survey, and information management capability.[18]

Land release

Land release overview[19]

Note: N/R=not reported.

Oman reported the “re-clearance” of 1,700m² in 2017, and 79,200m² in 2018, but did not specify exactly where the clearance took place nor the number or type of mines destroyed.[20] In 2019, Oman reported re-clearance of 11 mined areas in Al-Mughsail, Dhofar governorate, totaling 130,100m², but no mines were found.[21] In its Article 7 report for 2019, Oman reported no accidents had taken place in 20 years, and that formerly mined areas had been cleared, released, and were populated.[22]

As of the end of December 2020, 232,600m² were reportedly cleared and 34,000m² of suspected hazardous area (SHA) were still under clearance to the east of Wadi Duka. No landmines were found during 2020.[23]

Oman has developed a clear workplan to “re-inspect” and release its remaining 514,800m² of suspected mined areas between January 2022 and the end of April 2024, ahead of its Article 5 deadline on 1 February 2025.[24]

Risk education

In its Article 7 report for 2020, Oman reported that affected populations were provided with mine risk education during initial clearance operations through television, radio, and newspapers. Oman reported, however, that risk education did not need to be provided during re-inspection operations.

Limited mine awareness information was provided to nomadic people and Bedouin shepherds.[25]

Victim assistance

There are no specific mine/ERW victim assistance services in Oman, though survivors can access more general services for persons with disabilities.

The Ministry of Social Development runs three disability rehabilitation centers in Oman, providing physical rehabilitation, psychosocial rehabilitation, medical treatment, and vocational training for children and adults with varying degrees of disability.[26]

The ministry has also reported providing financial assistance to persons with disabilities, and their families, if they are economically-disadvantaged.[27]