A small SAS team repelled a large PFLOAG guerrilla assault at Mirbat, helping preserve Omani government control during the Dhofar Rebellion.
Key Facts
- Date
- 19 July 1972
- Attacker
- PFLOAG guerrillas
- Defenders
- SAS and Omani government forces
- Air support
- BAC Strikemaster attack aircraft (Oman)
- Conflict
- Dhofar Rebellion
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
During the Dhofar Rebellion, the PFLOAG mounted an insurgency against Oman's absolute monarchy. Britain deployed SAS personnel to train and fight alongside Omani forces. The PFLOAG sought to destroy a government position at Mirbat to weaken this alliance and advance their campaign.
On 19 July 1972, PFLOAG guerrillas launched a direct assault on the Omani government position at Mirbat. A small SAS team and their Omani allies mounted a fierce defence. Omani BAC Strikemaster aircraft arrived and fired rockets at the attackers, forcing the guerrillas to retreat and ending the assault.
The attack was decisively repelled, dealing a significant blow to PFLOAG's operational momentum. After the battle, British forces and allies recovered the bodies of the attacking guerrillas; some corpses were publicly displayed as a deterrent warning to those who might consider joining the rebellion against the Omani government.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Side B
1 belligerent