Oman welcomes ten Yemenis after years in Guantanamo

Oman's state TV has said that Oman has welcomed ten Yemenis detained at the US' notorious detention camp Guantanamo Bay at the request of Washington.

MENA

1 min read

The New Arab

14 January, 2016

Oman has avoided militant violence and extremism that has plagued neighbouring Yemen [Getty]

Ten Yemeni men held at the US' detention camp Guantanamo Bay arrived in Oman on Thursday, state TV said on Twitter.

The Gulf state's news agency confirmed the reports but said the former detainees will only be in the sultante for a "temporary stay".

"[This comes] in response to a request by the US administration for help to resolve the issue of detainees at Guantanamo Bay," Oman's foreign ministry said in a statement carried by the agency.

Local media reported that the country's ruler Sultan Qaboos bin Said accepted the former detainees after a request from its close ally.

Unlike many other countries in the Middle East, Oman has not been affected by militant violence in recent years.

Muscat has also pursued a relatively independent foreign policy from its Gulf neighbours.

It is not involved in the Saudi-led offensive on Houthi rebels in Yemen and remains on cordial terms with Iran.

The US is closing its controversial detention site in Cuba after holding suspected Islamic militants for over a decade without trial.