Friday, May 13, 2011

URGENT: Army arrest hundreds in Salalah

I can't believe this is happening in Salalah. Looks like our town has pulled a Sohar on us. Last night helicopters, army tanks, riot police and other security forces pulled in to Salalah around 8 p.m. The main highway and roads were blocked. The entire area surrounding the 'People's Square' was isolated by army tanks. Just after 8, all protesters were arrested and loaded onto buses and taken to the royal airforce base. The worst part of the whole ordeal was that all phones were dead (on purpose of course). The entire mobile network was down for two hours. No one knew what was going on. The town was full of people out on the streets trying to make sense of what was happening. The internet was down until just a few minutes ago, hence the late post. (thank you Muscat Mutterings for getting the message through)

After everyone was arrested, the Army continued to occupy the area. Hundreds of ,men walked (no point driving since traffic was backed up, so they abandoned their cars) to the People's Square to see what was happening. Gunfire was heard by no one was hurt last night. After midnight the locals pushed past the riot police and occupied the square once more.

This morning at 5 a.m some of the young men who were arrested last night were released from RAFO. However, many of them refused to leave until their friends were released. Around 11 am the army surrounded the remaining protesters in the square and circled in on them and finally arrested them all. They were taken to Arzat prison.

After Friday prayers today (no prayers held at square since hundreds of soldiers are there - and yes there are hundreds), protesters marched to the square entrance to demand release of their friends. Some threw rocks at the soldiers I believe, and (witnesses confirmed this), the released tear gas at them. There were more clashes in the afternoon and this evening more tear gas bombs were thrown at the protesters and bullets were fired into the air to frighten them. No success.

I'm glad the internet and phones are back up but as far as I'm concerned, the government should have warned people that there would be NO COMMUNICATON for two friggin hours on Thursday night. What if an emergency happened?? All that just to arrest a few protesters?! The entire PROVINCE of Dhofar was out of reach. Everywhere from Hasik to Rakhyut.

There are army tanks and riot police all over central Salalah. Police have blocked off Al Nahdha road. Locals are confused/furious/anxious/no knowing what to think. If you're an expat, stay away from central Salalah. Everywhere from RAFO (fountain) roundabout to the Grand mosque and the whole area surrounding the governor's office. The army are arresting anyone who looks suspicious.

WTF.

13 comments:

  1. Salam Nadia,
    thanks for the more detailed update. Most grtful. I really dont know what to say..i didnt think this would ever happen in salalah..something is seriously wrong. Am speechless. As for the phones woow that over the top..there are sick people who need to contact their family or tribe, pregnant women who might have been in active labour n suffered due to this... la ilaha illa Allah.
    ill be back for more updates..
    peace and greetings from Bahran.

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  2. Thanks Nadia. We can always count on you for detailed updates!

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  3. Am staying near People Square... Last two days am seeing directly whatz happening from my flat... yesterday for afternoon prayer lot of people came but forces didnt allow to do prayers and they had done prayer in Hamdan Masjid and marched to people square.. the force and used tear gas ..

    Thursday suddenly by 8.10pm all phone and internet are blocked.. i dont think its good practice, for emergency what will the common people do???? i also affected a lot because lack of communication.

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  4. That's exactly what I said on ur blog when things went crap in Sohar. Its NOT about violent, its not about riot, it is only about: Government does not want anyone to tell her what should it do. Its Ego problem.
    They dont tolerate freedom, they dont tolerate people demanding their rights.

    It was all about time, and it just happened.
    God bless all those who stood up to DEMAND what's theirs.
    Best

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  5. Man our demand for the removal of Dhofar Power Company's Indian management and placement of Omani management is very legit I guess. I am sure HM will look into this InshaALLAH. Long Live HM!!

    Let me give u guyz the organization structure of Dhofar Power Company which is 100 percent Omani government owned company:

    1)CEO :INDIAN
    2)CFO :INDIAN
    3)Director Transmission & Distribution :INDIAN
    4)Director Generation :INDIAN
    5)Director Planning : :INDIAN
    6)Director HR OMANI (Practically Ineffective)
    7)Manager HR: EFFECTIVE INDIAN
    8)Manager T&D :INDIAN
    9)Manager Planning :INDIAN
    10)Manager HR :INDIAN

    Alongwith 100 percent Indian Top Management,90% of engineers are also from India!!!

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  6. There may be more to this than we know as it seems a very determined move by the authorities.

    As for the mobile phone network going down - I've heard more about this than anything else - the world had millions of years without mobiles but a few hours is a major disaster.

    Nadia - can you give us an update on Rania? Is she still in Salalah? Is she okay?

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  7. Since everyone counts on u, I hope u will publish the following comments also:

    Man our demand for the removal of Dhofar Power Company's Indian management and placement of Omani management is very legit I guess. I am sure HM will look into this InshaALLAH. Long Live HM!!

    Let me give u guyz the organization structure of Dhofar Power Company which is 100 percent Omani government owned company:

    1)CEO :INDIAN
    2)CFO :INDIAN
    3)Director Transmission & Distribution :INDIAN
    4)Director Generation :INDIAN
    5)Director Planning : :INDIAN
    6)Director HR OMANI (Practically Ineffective)
    7)Manager HR: EFFECTIVE INDIAN
    8)Manager T&D :INDIAN
    9)Manager Planning :INDIAN
    10)Manager HR :INDIAN

    Alongwith 100 percent Indian Top Management,90% of engineers are also from India!!!

    May 14, 2011 4:27 PM
    Anonymous said...
    we at dhofar power company are really getting frustrated by the indian mafia created by the Indina CEO, Indian HR manager and the Indian Dirctors.
    We have held several meetings with the Chairman PAEW but to no avail.
    We request you to publish our comments (DhofariGucci, Muscat Confidential Andy in Oman and Susan AlShahri ) and even write even an essay on this issue.

    Muscat confidential once wrote an article on the Nationalization of Dhofar Power Company, but still the management of the Company is Indian who only recruit Indians and not let Omanis even apply for the vacancies.

    HM should be informed of our concerns and request that some Senior Omani CEO, HR manager and Senior Directors from X-Ministry of Electricity should be placed in these management positions.

    May 14, 2011 4:31 PM
    Anonymous said...
    The Indian CEO and Indian HR manager of Dhofar Power Company including other Indian directors should be replaced with immediate effect. We don't understand why the Chairman of the Public Authority for Electricity and Water is supporting the CEO of our company so much when he could get any Senior Omani man from MHEW. He has created a big indian lobby here alongwith the strong support of HR manager. We want some Senior Omani from X- Ministry of Electricity to be placed as CEO , Deputy CEO and HR manager as our current Omani HR director is completely incapable. We can suggest some names also. We want the royal office to look into this demand most urgently. Moreover OPWP, Authority for Electricity Regulation should also have Senior Omani Management. There are many capable Senior Omanis serving as advisers with practically no active role in the Electricity Industry

    May 14, 2011 4:32 PM
    Anonymous said...
    Indian CEO of DHofar Power Company is drawing more than 10000rial as monthly basic salary.

    Blime!!

    May 14, 2011 4:35 PM
    Anonymous said...
    I wonder if u can put all these comments together and write an article on Dhofar Power Company's Indian management and our concerns

    That would give the people higher - up a better idea as to what our grievances are please!!

    We will appreciate tht

    Thanks

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  8. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/babylonbeyond/2011/05/oman-king-monarchies-gulf-protests-crackdown-army-tents-salalah-reform.html

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  9. The whole scenario was the worst move, the action that won't fade or vanish from the memory of thousands of young men. This is not a brave man's decision.....
    I don't have to babble any more,,,,logic absolutely doesn't work here,,,, so monitor the emerging of our men's reaction to this shameful assault on people, treating them like sheep.
    Well done So called Sultan,,, continue hiding,,,but make sure million percent that your are not in sheep's barn.......

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  10. The protests were getting silly but this move does seem like too much force and show really.

    His Majesty should go public and say something instead of the army.

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  11. Shaboun,

    Watch out! Your foul mouth will only dump you behind bars for breaking many articles of the basic law as well as Omani penal code. You might imagine you are invisible behind the screen, but you are not, your IP address is quite clear and the long arm of the law reaches everywhere.

    Mti

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  12. Shaboun tends to get carried away sometimes I agree. However, despite the fact that I disagree with many of his opinions (which at times may seem outrageous), this is a free world and I vow to publish most comments even if I disagree. Peace.

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  13. Hi, I am a journalist with Voice of America. I am working on a story about the recent unrest in Oman and I will be travelling to Salalah next weekend to do research about the situation there. I am looking to interview people who have opinions on the situation and I was wondering if you would be willing to talk to me or if you know anyone who would. My email address is: pwwnews@hotmail.com
    Thank you for your consideration.
    -Phillip

    ReplyDelete