Oman's Role in the Yemeni Civil War

Since last spring, after the Houthi rebels in Yemen forced the country's president to flee the capital, a war has been ongoing between them and the Arab coalition led by Saudi Arabia, resulting in between seven to ten thousand deaths so far. During this time, Iran has consistently been accused of supporting the Houthi rebels and supplying them with weapons, and now, as Reuters claims in an exclusive report, Tehran's support has reportedly increased. This report also brings Oman into the picture as a route for transferring these weapons. According to several unnamed diplomats cited by Reuters, Iran has increased its assistance to the Houthi rebels since the war began in Yemen about a year and a half ago. An unnamed official who spoke to Reuters stated that this increase in weapon shipments in recent months, which he claims is primarily conducted through Oman, includes anti-ship missiles, explosives, money, and personnel. A security source from the Middle East also told Reuters that among the supplies Iran has provided to the Houthi Shiites are short-range ground-to-ground missiles and lighter weapons. The statements made by American and Western diplomats in this report, according to Reuters, are based on information they had access to, but these individuals did not provide further details about this information. Peter Wezeman, a senior researcher on arms at the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), states that the recent Reuters report is insufficient for assessing the extent of Iran's assistance to the Yemeni rebels: 'The novelty of this report can be examined from two angles. One is that it discusses the export of larger and more advanced weapons from Iran to the Houthis in Yemen, and the other is that the transfer of weapons is not direct and involves smuggling routes through Oman. However, proving these claims is currently impossible because, in previous instances of such reports, evidence included the seizure of ships that were said to have delivered these weapons to Yemenis. But now, we are only talking about a series of confidential reports. Therefore, there is no clear evidence available.' Mr. Wezeman also describes the way to prove such reports: 'I believe what is needed is to identify the large shipments mentioned in Oman, and also to conduct independent investigations by the United Nations and special groups responsible for monitoring the implementation of arms embargoes imposed on Yemen and Iran. Only then can we confidently discuss the validity of this report.' However, another aspect of the recent Reuters report and statements from various Western and Yemeni officials is the involvement of the Sultanate of Oman in the issue of arms shipments from Iran to Yemen. Oman, which has played an active role in mediating between Iran and the West in recent years. Reuters cites an unnamed senior U.S. government official stating that Washington has informed Omani officials of American concerns in this regard. Although this U.S. official did not elaborate on when this conversation with Oman took place. The Omani Foreign Minister rejected these claims in an interview with the Saudi newspaper Okaz, stating that no weapons have crossed the border of this country and that the Omani government is ready to clarify any speculation in this regard. However, according to Alex Vatank, a Middle East analyst in Washington, in the Yemen war, where Saudi Arabia is fighting against the Shiite Houthi rebels, Oman is itself part of the balance and is not merely a follower of Iranian policies. 'Oman and the Omani Foreign Minister himself pointed out a few weeks ago that, firstly, they truly consider this war in Yemen to be a mistake and have said so from the beginning. Oman has no interest in allowing Saudi Arabia to become, as they say, the leader of the Gulf Arab states and to position itself as the leader of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. I think the actions Oman is currently taking are in its own interest. The Yemen war is one that could spill over into Oman through its southern borders tomorrow. Let’s not forget that there are tribes in southern Oman that have close ties across the border in Yemen. I was in Oman a few weeks ago, and we heard from government officials that they are providing assistance and that some of the wounded from Yemen are coming to Oman. Omanis are not just bystanders in this war; they are involved in it and are seeking a quick end to it, believing that Saudi actions are wrong, which is why they are pursuing their own policies. They may sometimes tactically cooperate with Iran or other countries, but it is not the case that Tehran informs Oman and tells them to do this, and Oman quickly complies.' Mr. Vatank also emphasizes that if the Omani government is aware of weapons crossing its territory, he doubts that this would be done solely in coordination with Iran and would likely inform other countries about the issue as well. The recent Reuters report comes amid statements from General Joseph Votel, a senior U.S. military commander, who said in a meeting in Washington that Iran likely had a role in recent missile attacks by the Houthis against U.S. ships in the Red Sea. However, this U.S. military commander emphasized that the technology used in the fired missiles is not exclusive to Iran. On Thursday, Iran denied this statement, with Bahram Qasemi, the spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, calling these remarks a 'fantastical and imaginary story' and 'suspicious and baseless,' and categorically rejected it.