THE normally peaceful sultanate of Oman was shaken by sectarian terrorism on Monday when militants belonging to the self-styled Islamic State group attacked a mosque where hundreds had gathered to observe Muharram ceremonies. Six people lost their lives in the atrocity, four of them Pakistani. On Thursday, Omani police said that three suspects — all brothers and Omani nationals — adhering to “misguided ideas” were behind the attack and were killed upon resisting security forces. IS had earlier boasted that it had targeted “Shias practising their annual rituals”. Swift action by the Omani authorities helped bring the situation under control, or far more lives could have been lost.

Oman has largely been spared the terrorist violence and sectarian fissures that some of its other Gulf neighbours have witnessed. The Ibadi school dominates the sultanate, while there is also a large Sunni community and a small Shia minority. Yet, all confessional groups appear to live in peace and maintain a spirit of tolerance. Even politically, Oman has played the role of a bridge between Iran and Saudi Arabia during incredibly tense times, helping maintain diplomatic contacts between the Gulf giants. Therefore, this attack appears to have been an attempt to spark sectarian tensions in the sultanate. It should be remembered that just next door in Yemen, IS maintains a considerable foothold. Omani authorities should remain vigilant, lest violent sectarian actors try and spoil the peaceful atmosphere in the country. Looking at the larger region, it appears as if IS is trying to spread its wings after being cut down to size in Iraq and Syria. The terrorist group has, in the recent past, claimed attacks in Russia and Iran. Now it may be looking to hit other ‘soft’ targets to maintain its profile, and attract new recruits to its cause. Hence, regional states need to maintain alertness and keep channels open with each other, as IS recognises no borders and is a transnational terrorist threat. Pakistan should remain particularly alert, not only because of this country’s unfortunate history of sectarian violence, but also because fighters of the IS-Khorasan ‘province’ are lurking in the shadows across the border in Afghanistan. When IS emerged as a major terrorist outfit around a decade ago, it had blindsided the international community. Its remnants cannot be allowed to rebuild and continue its blood-soaked legacy.

Published in Dawn, July 19th, 2024