A Proxy War in Arabia: The Dhofar Insurgency and Cross-Border Raids into South Yemen

This article examines a hitherto obscure aspect of the conflict in Dhofar, Oman (1963–76), the Anglo-Omani covert operation (Operation Dhib) to send Mahra tribesmen to conduct cross-border raids into South Yemen during the early 1970s. Using declassified British government papers, this article outlines the origins of Operation Dhib, and the contrasting objectives of the Sultanate of Oman and the United Kingdom in instigating and sponsoring this covert action.