Firqa (military)

A Firqa (Arabic: فِرْقَة‎, sometimes called Firqat colloquially in the plural) is a local militia unit loyal to the Sultan of Oman raised in the Dhofar region of Oman during the Omani Civil War (1963-76).[1] The British were known for utilising Firqa during their counter insurgency operations in support of the Sultan's operations in the region, converting former enemies into pro-government militia to aid in counter-insurgency;[2] this was a tactic the British had successfully employed in Malaya.[3] Forming local Firqa was therefore great way to employ surrendered enemy personnel (SEPs) and thus pacify areas of the Dhofari Jebel and set the conditions for infrastructure development.[4]

For the musical ensemble, see Firqa.
Firqa irregulars on parade with regular SAF units in 1981

During the insurgency in Dhofar Firqa forces proved invaluable as both a tactical and psychological weapon; although their use beyond Jebali tribal areas was problematic.[5]

Firqa continued at least until recent times; as recently as 1990 the Omani government was issuing payments of 120-140 rials per month. This payment was both to maintain a pro-government paramilitary force, as well as to enable nomadic Omanis to continue living in their traditional areas.[6]

References
  1. UK, National Archives. "FCO 8/2707, Firqa Forces (tribal fighters) in Dhofar Oman". discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk. The Discovery Service.
  2. Sr, Major Thomas E. Walton (2015). Headed The Wrong Way: The British Army's Painful Re-Acquaintance With Its Own COIN Doctrine In Southern Iraq, Chapter 3. Pickle Partners Publishing. ISBN 9781786252319. Retrieved 18 August 2017.
  3. DeVore, Marc (2011). "The United Kingdom's last hot war of the Cold War: Oman, 1963-75". Cold War History. 11 (3): 11. doi:10.1080/14682745.2010.498823.
  4. "Oman 1965-1976". smallwarsjournal.com. Small Wars Journal. Retrieved 18 August 2017.
  5. White, Rowland (2012). Storm Front: The Epic True Story of a Secret War, the SAS's Greatest Battle, and the British Pilots Who Saved Them. Transworld Publishers Limited. pp. 270–271. ISBN 9780552160216. Retrieved 18 August 2017.
  6. Mundy, Martha; Musallam, Basim (2000). The Transformation of Nomadic Society in the Arab East. Cambridge University Press. p. 168. ISBN 9780521770576. Retrieved 18 August 2017.


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