Oman – Yemen relations
Map indicating locations of Oman and Yemen

Oman
Yemen

Oman–Yemen relations refer to bilateral relations between the southern Peninsular Arab nations of Oman and Yemen. The two countries share a 294 km (183 m) border.[1] Both Oman and Yemen were part of the Persian Empire, and later the Umayyad and Abbasid caliphates. Yemen has an embassy in Muscat. Oman has an embassy in Sana'a. Both countries are members of the Arab League and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.

History

During the early 1970s, relations between Oman and the neighboring People's Democratic Republic of Yemen (South Yemen) deteriorated, following conflict in Dhofar Province with a guerrilla organization, known from 1974 as the People's Front for the Liberation of Oman, which the South Yemeni government supported. Although a cease-fire was mediated by Saudi Arabia in March 1976, the situation remained tense. The PFLO threat diminished further with the establishment of diplomatic relations in October 1983 between South Yemen and Oman, and South Yemen subsequently lessened propaganda and subversive activities against Oman. In late 1987, Oman opened an embassy in Aden, South Yemen, and appointed its first resident ambassador to the country.

After the Gulf War, rapprochement between united Yemen and neighboring Oman took place. After North and South Yemen merged in May 1990, Oman settled its border disputes with the new united Republic of Yemen on October 1, 1992.[2] Oman also hoped to take part in Yemen's oil development.[3]

In September 2008, the two countries began discussions to form a regional center to combat piracy. In May 2009, Oman signaled support for Yemen's integrity and the government of President Ali Abdullah Saleh by withdrawing the Omani citizenship of southern Yemeni politician Ali Salim Al Bidh,[4] who was believed to be stoking separatist sentiment in south Yemen.[5]

In January 2011 in a preparatory meeting for the second Arab Summit of Economic and Social Development which took place in the Egyptian city of Sharm el-Sheikh, Foreign Minister Abu-Bakr al-Qirbi and Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs Yusuf bin Abdullah have discussed the bilateral relations between Yemen and Oman and means of boosting them.[6]

During the Yemeni civil war, Oman has been the lone Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member to eschew military involvement. According to Al Jazeera, Omani diplomats have worked to mediate relations between the Saudi government and the Houthi movement.[7]

References

  1. ↑ CIA World Factbook – Oman, retrieved 30 March 2020
  2. ↑ International boundary agreement between the Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of Yemen,1 October 1992.
  3. ↑ Philip Bowring (May 14, 1993). "Oman and Yemen: Good News From the Arabian Peninsula". The New York Times. Retrieved 2016-10-23.
  4. ↑ "Oman Strips Yemeni Dissident of Citizenship for Returning to Politics". 25 May 2009. Archived from the original on 23 July 2011.
  5. ↑ Oman: Reform, Security, and U.S. Policy. Kenneth Katzman, U.S Congressional Service.
  6. ↑ "26 September News- Yemen, Oman discuss bilateral relations". 26sep.net. 2011-01-18. Retrieved 2016-10-23.
  7. ↑ Cafiero, Giorgio (2023-04-12). "Is Oman's hard work with Yemen and Saudi Arabia paying off?". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2023-06-14.


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