Oman continued to be proactive in implementing counterterrorism strategies and cooperating with neighboring countries to prevent terrorists from entering or moving freely throughout the Arabian Peninsula. The Omani government opposed the spread of extremist ideology by promoting religious moderation and tolerance. To better coordinate efforts to prevent terrorist-related activities, the government continued development of a national terrorism operations and analysis center. In some cases, the country was resistant to sharing of specific information or its activities in this field with bilateral partners. Oman is not a major financial center and did not have a significant money laundering problem.

In this regard, an Omani businessman, Ali Abdul Aziz al-Hooti, was arrested, tried, and sentenced to life imprisonment in Oman for helping to fund Lashkar-e-Tayyiba, as well as helping plan terrorist attacks in Oman. At the same time, al-Hooti’s Indian-born accomplice, Sarfraz Nawaz, was returned to India where he is also serving a life term.

Oman’s long coastline and relatively porous borders remained vulnerable to illegal transit by migrant workers, smugglers, terrorists and drug traffickers. The government was concerned about the steady flow of illegal immigrants attempting to transit Oman to other destinations in the Arabian Peninsula, particularly the United Arab Emirates. The majority of the illegal immigrants apprehended were from Pakistan and Afghanistan. Somalis continued to attempt to cross the border illegally into Oman from Yemen.

The Omani government actively sought training and equipment from the United States and other countries and relevant commercial entities, to support its efforts to control its land and maritime borders. It continued conceptual development of joint operations centers to be staffed and equipped by relevant ministries. Oman used United States security assistance to enhance nighttime operational capabilities on its maritime and land borders.