Middle EastOmanis protest unemployment in a rare show of discontent
Reuters
3 minute read
Groups of Omanis gathered to protest against unemployment in at least two cities of the Gulf Arab state on Monday, authorities and activists said, the first show of dissent since the new sultan acceded the throne.
Videos and photos posted on social media showed protesters gathering in Salalah, in the south, and Sohar in the north.
A heavy presence of security forces, with convoys of military and police vehicles, could be seen on the videos, including where police forces fired tear gas and arrested demonstrators.
The protests are the first to take place under Sultan Haitham, who took power in January 2020 after the death of long-ruling Sultan Qaboos.