Oman breaks up UAE ‘spy ring’

Oman said it has broken up a ring of spies placed by the United Arab Emirates, its neighbour, in a move that could strain relations further between the two Gulf states.
An unnamed security official in the sultanate told the Oman News Agency on Sunday that authorities had arrested spies “belonging to the state security forces of the UAE targeting the regime in Oman and the mechanism of governmental and military work”.

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Amid growing discord in North Africa, analysts were surprised at the timing of such a controversial issue breaking into the open.
Public discussion of intelligence in the region is rare enough, let alone accusations of spying operations between two “fraternal” states, both of which are members of the Gulf Cooperation Council.
Last November internet reports emerged that almost 20 Omani officials had been arrested in the sultanate for allegedly spying on behalf of Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, but there had been no official confirmation until Sunday.Read More