Internal Security Service
{{short description|Omani national security agency}}
{{Infobox government agency
|agency_name = Sultanate of Oman
Internal Security Service
|nativename = جهاز الأمن الداخلي
|nativename_a =
|nativename_r =
|logo =
|logo_width = 120px
|logo_caption = National Emblem of Oman
|formed =
|jurisdiction = Government of Oman and its national security (internal)
{{flagicon|Oman}}
|headquarters = Qurum, Muscat Governate, Sultanate of Oman
|coordinates =
|chief1_name = Lt Gen Said bin Ali al Hilali
|chief1_position = Head of ISS
|chief2_name =
|chief2_position =
|parent_agency =
|child1_agency =
|child2_agency =
|website =
}}
Internal Security Service (ISS; {{langx|ar|جهاز الأمن الداخلي}}, transliterated: Jahaz al Amn al Dakhly) is the national security agency of the Sultanate of Oman.{{cite web|title=Internal Security Service|url=http://www.oman.om/wps/portal/!ut/p/a0/04_Sj9CPykssy0xPLMnMz0vMAfGjzOKNDdwNDPwtPX1NnAJdDIy8jLxNgx2NjQyCTfSDM0viPUP0C7IdFQFFnssd/?WCM_GLOBAL_CONTEXT=/EN/site/home/gov/gov1/gov5governmentorganizations/iss/|website=www.oman.om|access-date=7 July 2017|language=it-IT}} The agency focuses solely upon domestic security while foreign intelligence operations is specifically handled by the Palace Office, which controls external security and coordinates all intelligence and security policies.{{cite web|title=Oman, Page 3|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/186654.pdf|publisher=US DOS|access-date=7 July 2017}}
The stated overall purpose of ISS is to investigates all matters related to internal security.{{cite web|title=Oman|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/2003/27935.htm|website=U.S. Department of State|access-date=7 July 2017}}{{cite news|title=Oman's Internal Security Service launches its official website|url=http://timesofoman.com/article/96874/Oman/Government/Oman's-Internal-Security-Service-launches-its-official-website|access-date=7 July 2017|work=Times of Oman}}{{cite web|title=Oman: Internal Security Service continues systematic targeting of human rights defenders & Internet activists|url=http://www.gc4hr.org/news/view/1561|website=www.gc4hr.org|access-date=7 July 2017}} The ISS also leads on Omani counter terrorism procedures and outreach activities.{{cite book|last1=Gunaratna|first1=Rohan|last2=Ali|first2=Mohamed Bin|title=Terrorist Rehabilitation: A New Frontier in Counter-terrorism|date=2015|publisher=World Scientific|isbn=9781783267453|page=16|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0dy3CgAAQBAJ&q=address+%22ISS%22+security+Oman&pg=PA16|access-date=7 July 2017|language=en}}
History
The ISS can trace its history back to the intelligence and security structures set up using British military intelligence expertise as part of Sultan Said's armed forces in the 1950s.{{cite journal|last1=Eickelman|first1=Dale F.|last2=Dennison|first2=M. G.|title=Arabizing the Omani intelligence services: Clash of cultures?|journal=International Journal of Intelligence and CounterIntelligence|date=1 March 1994|volume=7|issue=1|pages=1–28|doi=10.1080/08850609408435235|issn=0885-0607}} HM Sultan Qaboos developed the capability, and the Oman Intelligence Service became the Oman Research Department (ORD), with its main focus being supporting counter-insurgency operations in the Dhofar Region in the 1970s.{{cite book|last1=Macris|first1=Jeffrey|last2=Kelly|first2=Saul|title=Imperial Crossroads: The Great Powers and the Persian Gulf|date=2012|publisher=Naval Institute Press|isbn=9781612510941|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rxb1N3kxz24C&q=ORD+Dhofar&pg=PT137|access-date=7 July 2017|language=en}}{{cite journal|last1=Jones|first1=Clive|title=Military Intelligence, Tribes, and Britain's War in Dhofar, 1970-1976|journal=Middle East Journal|date=2011|volume=65|issue=4|pages=557–574|doi=10.3751/65.4.12|jstor=41342740|s2cid=145005866}}{{cite book|last1=Allen|first1=Calvin H.|last2=II|first2=W. Lynn Rigsbee|title=Oman Under Qaboos: From Coup to Constitution, 1970-1996|date=2014|publisher=Routledge|isbn=9781135314309|page=91|url=https://books.google.com/books
The ISS is known to have offices in Qurum (in the Capital area){{cite book|last1=Peterson|first1=John|title=Historical Muscat: An Illustrated Guide and Gazetteer|date=2007|publisher=BRILL|isbn=978-9004152663|page=24|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gNu4_uHo7CQC&q=Internal+Security+Service+Oman+Qurum&pg=PA24|access-date=7 July 2017|language=en}} and Salalah in Dhofar.{{cite web|title=Projects {{!}} Al Amana Co. LLC|url=http://alamana.om/projects/|website=alamana.om|access-date=7 July 2017}}{{cite web|title=Oman Yellow Pages|url=http://www.omantel-yellowpages.com/wap/MinDetails.aspx?id=25|website=www.omantel-yellowpages.com|access-date=7 July 2017}}
In 1994 and 2005 there were attempted coups against the Sultan's rule and the ISS would have been instrumental in uncovering and investigating the plots.{{cite web|title=Oman Is Immune from Terrorist Groups|url=https://chronicle.fanack.com/oman/history-past-to-present/oman-immune-from-terrorism/|website=Fanack Chronicle|access-date=7 July 2017|archive-date=8 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108225058/https://fanack.com/oman/history-past-to-present/oman-immune-from-terrorism/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|title=Oman sentences members of secret group between one to 20 years 02/05/2005|url=http://www.kuna.net.kw/ArticlePrintPage.aspx?id=1563531&language=en|website=www.kuna.net.kw|publisher=KUNA|access-date=7 July 2017}}{{cite news|title=BBC NEWS Middle East Oman jails 31 for plotting coup|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4505075.stm|website=news.bbc.co.uk|access-date=7 July 2017|date=2005-05-02}}
Organization
As of May 2013, Lieutenant General Said bin Ali bin Zahir al Hilali was appointed Head of the ISS{{cite news|last1=Newspaper|first1=Muscat Daily|title=His Majesty the Sultan appoints new head of Internal Security Service - Oman|url=http://www.muscatdaily.com/Archive/Oman/His-Majesty-the-Sultan-appoints-new-head-of-Internal-Security-Service-29z8|access-date=7 July 2017|work=Muscat Daily News|language=en|archive-date=15 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180315134622/http://www.muscatdaily.com/Archive/Oman/His-Majesty-the-Sultan-appoints-new-head-of-Internal-Security-Service-29z8|url-status=dead}} – he had formerly been the assistant head of the agency. He was still in post as of November 2015.{{cite web|title=Times of Oman 10 Nov 2015|url=https://www.pressreader.com/oman/times-of-oman/20151110/281569469612080|via=PressReader|access-date=7 July 2017}} His former post was passed to Brigadier Ghosn bin Hilal bin Khalifa al Alawi (who was promoted to major general on assuming the post of Assistant Head ISS).{{cite news|author=Staff Report|title=New chief for internal security in Oman|url=http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/oman/new-chief-for-internal-security-in-oman-1.1186473|access-date=7 July 2017|work=GulfNews|date=21 May 2013}} Lieutenant General Said al Hilali's brother is the Sultanate's Public Prosecutor, who was reported in 2012 to be ready to use the law to restrict freedom of speech and association.{{cite web|last1=Valeri|first1=Marc|title=Simmering Unrest and Succession Challenges in Oman|url=https://carnegieendowment.org/research/2015/01/simmering-unrest-and-succession-challenges-in-oman?lang=en|website=Carnegie Endowment for International Peace|access-date=7 July 2017}}
See also
{{portal|Oman}}
References
{{reflist|30em}}
{{Domestic national intelligence agencies}}
Category:Law enforcement in Oman