The Role of the "Hearts and Minds Strategy" in the Dhofar Rebellion (1965-1975)

Subject Areas :

Badrjahan Ebrahiminejad ¹ , Mahboube Sharafi ² , sayed reza salehi amiri ³

1 - -
2 - Associate Professor, Department of History, Faculty of Humanities, Islamic Azad University, Shahre-Rey Branch, Tehran, Iran.
3 - Department of Cultural Management, Science and Research Unit, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.

Received: 2025-03-27 Accepted : 2025-05-09 Published : 2025-08-02

Keywords: Dhofar Rebellion, Hearts and Minds Strategy, Defeat of the Rebellion, Oman, Britain, Cost and Bloodshed,

Abstract :

The Dhofar Rebellion initially arose from the desire to liberate Oman from British influence. However, with the leaning of its leaders towards the East, it transformed into a battleground between the Eastern and Western blocs over Persian Gulf resources and played a significant role in regional political developments. Britain employed the "Hearts and Minds strategy," based on the principle of "least cost and least bloodshed," to defeat the rebellion. However, it faced a challenge that distinguished it from similar movements. This article seeks to answer the question: What was the function of the "Hearts and Minds strategy" in the Dhofar Rebellion? The research hypothesis is based on the initial answer that this strategy, aimed at deceiving public opinion, first, by suppressing and killing civilians and revolutionaries, and second, by granting concessions to attract the hearts of the indigenous people and rebels, paved the way for the weakening and eventual suppression of the rebellion.

         This research was conducted using historical research methods and document analysis. The findings revealed that, contrary to the common narrative regarding this strategy – "suppressing the rebellion with the least cost and least bloodshed" – the factor of "military suppression" played a decisive role in its implementation. On the other hand, due to the prolonged duration of the rebellion and the prevailing ideological shifts, the process of incorporating the rebellion's leaders and thinkers into the government structure played the main role in the rebellion's defeat.

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