Rare protests in Oman over jobs draw massive police response

Videos posted to social media showed Omanis fleeing riot police and others being arrested during economic protests.

Scattered protests in Oman over layoffs and poor economic conditions have drawn a massive police presence in at least one city in the sultanate, with protesters throwing stones at one point and police firing tear gas. Videos posted to social media showed several dozen Omanis in the city of Sohar trailed by a long line of riot police vehicles on Monday. Other images appear to showed a line of police in riot gear near a government labour office in the city, 200km (125 miles) northwest of the capital, Muscat. Other images appear to showed Omanis fleeing and others being arrested. The images correspond to known landmarks around Sohar, the first major city people enter in the sultanate after coming over the border from the neighbouring United Arab Emirates (UAE).