Book Review

Christopher Beese has written a comprehensive and erudite history of Firqat Forces in Oman from 1970 to 1990. This is a work of considerable scholarship with a long list of contributors (“some 60”) who he consulted and who helped him compile the work.

Christopher served with 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards before serving with Firqat Forces from 1982 to 1987. He joined a team that contributed to the advancement of Firqa through the mentoring of the regular element, its transition from a counter-insurgency force of light infantry to a mobile reconnaissance force and its integration with the Sultan’s Armed Forces.

Subsequently he spent 30 years in the private security and post-conflict reconstruction sectors and was awarded an MBE for services to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and European Community in Bosnia Herzegovina, 1993.

In the book he describes the creation of Firqat Forces and the reasoning behind their formation. A great deal of the early inspiration is ascribed to Johnny Watts (Sir John Watts), who, as Commanding Officer 22 SAS at the time of the accession of HM Sultan Qaboos, became heavily involved in the planning of the new Sultan's campaign to confront the insurrection in Dhofar.

Christopher makes it clear throughout that he does not follow the belief of many of the early participants in the conflict that the Firqa were more of a hindrance than an asset. He describes in detail the involvement of Firqat Forces from 1970 onward.

Many of the Dhofari characters from that period are referenced and discussed, mainly with warmth and admiration whilst not papering over their past in the adoo. The book is arranged in a separate chapter for each year between 1970 and 1976. There are detailed descriptions of many operations and the part played by the Firqa.

Following the chapters on the war years he describes in detail and with an enormous number of attributed contributions the post war issues and how they were dealt with. There are many descriptions of meetings involving HM Sultan Qaboos and of his wise approach to al Nahda (the renaissance/enlightenment). The account throughout is not without humour and many anecdotes supplied by contributors to the narrative are included.

The latter chapters of the book describe the creation of the regular Firqat Forces and their ultimate integration into the Sultan’s Armed Forces as regular troops. This period was, of course, the time for which the author had first-hand experience.

The book is a weighty tome of more than 400 pages crammed with photos, illustrations and maps. It is a fascinating read and will doubtless cause some raised eyebrows amongst those veterans who found it difficult when operating with the Firqa, particularly in the early years. However, it eloquently argues that the role of Firqa was key both in the victory in Dhofar in 1975 and in the subsequent renaissance in Oman.

KWR

To obtain a copy of the book contact the author at: