GCC Defense Efforts
December 30, 2000
Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE sign a regional defense pact
Oman and Britain Train
October 30, 2001
Oman and Britain conduct military exercises in Omani desert to prepare strikes against Taliban in Afghanistan.
Oman Extends Suffrage
November 1, 2002
Extends voting rights from tribal leaders, intellectuals and businessmen to every citizen over the age of 21.
Oman Appoints First Female Minister
March 8, 2004
Sultan appoints first female minister appoints with significant responsibilities, the first in any GCC country.
Attempted Overthrow in Oman
January 11, 2005
100 Islamists are arrested for trying to overthrow the government but some are pardoned.
Oman and the U.S. Sign Free Trade Deal
January 22, 2006
Oman and the United States sign a free trade deal.
Cyclone Gonu
June 26, 2007
Cyclone Gonu disrupts oil production and kills more than 50 people.
The Olympic Torch Passes Through Oman
April 28, 2008
The Olympic torch passes through country without issue amidst high security in its worldwide travel.
Pirates Seize Ship
June 30, 2009
Suspected Somali pirates off Oman seize a cargo ship.
Beach Games
December 31, 2010
The 2nd Asian Beach Games is held in Muscat.
Arab Spring in Oman
February 28, 2011
Arab Spring protesters clash with police, and Sultan Qaboos responds by promising jobs and economic benefits. The Sultan also promises greater powers to elected Consultative Council.
Omani Activists Tried
September 30, 2012
Omani Activists are tried in court for criticizing the government online during protests over unemployment and lack of democracy.
Pardons in Oman
March 31, 2013
Sultan Qaboos pardons around 30 people, including online activists and protesters.
Government Corruption
May 31, 2014
Former Omani commerce minister is sentenced to three years in prison for corruption.
A Woman in the Shura
October 31, 2015
New Majlis al-Shura (consultative council) is elected , with a woman becoming a member.
First Elections in Oman
June 30, 2016
First-ever direct elections are held and two women are voted to serve on Sultan Qaboos’ advisory council.
Iran and Oman agree to improve bilateral relationship amid Gulf Crisis
July 12, 2017
The move comes after Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Egypt severed diplomatic and trade ties with Qatar. “Iran and Oman have for years had fraternal relations and the best must be made of these good relations to reinforce them,” Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said as he met Oman’s foreign minister, Yusuf bin Alawi. Historically, the two states have maintained good relations, and amid the Gulf rift, they seek to
Omanis bring aid to Yemeni borders by trucks
December 27, 2017
Since the war in Yemen began, one escape route from the fighting has been by road, across the border and into Oman. Muscat has tightened the boarder due to increased violence, however it aims to maintain the flow of goods that supports poor populations. In response, Omanis have been hauling truckloads of aid such as food and blankets towards the battlegrounds.
Plastic bags banned
June 4, 2018
As the first Gulf Cooperation Council(GCC) state to ban plastic bags in supermarkets, Oman Oman is at the forefront of reducing plastic bag consumption which is exceptionally high in the GCC.