Salalah – His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, Supreme Commander, presided over a military parade held at Al Nasr Square in the Governorate of Dhofar on the occasion of the glorious 52nd National Day on Friday.

The event saw the participation of units representing the Royal Army of Oman (RAO), the Royal Air Force of Oman, the Royal Navy of Oman, the Royal Guard of Oman (RGO), the Sultan’s Special Force (SSF), the Royal Oman Police (ROP), ground and mounted military music bands, as well as Firaq Forces.

Upon His Majesty the Sultan’s arrival at the parade ground, he was received by Sayyid Shihab bin Tarik al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for Defence Affairs, Gen Sultan bin Mohammed al Nuamani, Minister of Royal Office, and Vice-Admiral Abdullah bin Khamis al Raisi, Chief of Staff of Sultan’s Armed Forces (SAF).

When His Majesty the Sultan ascended the Royal dais, columns of the parade performed the military salute. The joint corps of military bands played the Royal Anthem, while the Sultan of Oman’s Artillery fired a 21-gun salute to His Majesty the Sultan.

Then, the parade commander stepped forward, requesting His Majesty the Sultan to signal the start of the military show.

The joint corps of military bands representing the SAF, the RGO, the ROP and the Royal Court Affairs (RCA) played sundry tunes as they marched before the Royal dais. Columns of the Protocols Guard joined the parade and performed ceremonial gestures to the accompaniment of melodies from the joint corps of military bands performing the military salute to His Majesty the Sultan.

This was followed by columns of personnel in camouflage uniforms, representing the SAF, the RGO, the SSF and the ROP, queued before the Royal dais, performing the military salute to His Majesty, the Supreme Commander, to the accompaniment of melodies by the joint corps of military bands.

His Majesty the Sultan watched a musical show staged by mounted bands representing the RGO and the Royal Cavalry. They passed before the Royal dais, performing the military salute to His Majesty the Sultan.

Next, His Majesty the Sultan watched a presentation by the RAO’s Firaq Forces. They chanted their allegiance and gratitude to His Majesty the Sultan as they passed before the Royal dais and gave the military salute to His Majesty, the Supreme Commander.

Later, the columns of the parade proclaimed “Faith in Allah, loyalty to the Sultan, sacrifice for the nation.” Then, the joint corps of military bands played the Royal Anthem, while the columns of the parade performed the military salute marking the conclusion of the military show.

On the occasion, His Majesty the Sultan, the Supreme Commander, received a commemorative gift from the valiant armed forces. Sayyid Shihab had the honour of presenting the gift. Then, His Majesty the Sultan left the parade grounds.