What does the archive of a former activist reveal about solidarity practices in the 1970s? James Downs explores the networks and activities of the Solidarity Committees supporting liberation movements in the Gulf.

What does the archive of a former activist reveal about solidarity practices in the 1970s? James Downs explores the networks and activities of the Solidarity Committees supporting liberation movements in the Gulf.

UK helped Gulf monarchy crackdown on dissidents to keep control over Strait of Hormuz oil route

The Battle of Mirbat was an attack by Communist guerrillas targeting an Omani government position during the Dhofar Rebellion in the town of Mirbat, Oman. During the Dhofar Rebellion, Britain assisted the Omani government, an absolute monarchy, by sending elements of its Special Air Service (SAS) both to train soldiers and fight against the Popular Front for the Liberation of the Occupied Arabian Gulf (PFLOAG) guerrillas, also known as the Adoo. The assault was defeated after the arrival of several BAC Strikemaster attack aircraft belonging to Oman, firing rockets at PFLOAG's positions which forced the guerrillas to retreat. After the battle the British and their allies recovered the corpses of the attacking guerrillas, some were put on public display as a tool of terror, to act as warnings to potential left-wing rebels who were tempted to join the rebellion against Oman's government.