Crash site of an RAF Venom | Jebel Akhdar Oman

📍 About Jebel Akhdar

Jebel Akhdar, meaning “Green Mountain,” is one of those places in Oman where the journey itself makes you slow down and pay attention.

The landscape changes as you climb higher. The road becomes steeper, the turns become tighter and the mountains start opening up around you.

For this drive, a 4x4 is essential.

The route involves steep mountain sections and plenty of hairpin turns, so this isn't a drive where I would want to rush. Every turn brings another view, and sometimes the best thing to do is simply stop, switch off the engine and take in the mountains.

But Jebel Akhdar also has a darker and much more fascinating story.

Hidden among these mountains is a connection to the Buraimi and Jebel Akhdar conflict of 1952–1959, and the story of a young British fighter pilot named Owen Watkinson.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

✈️ The Story of Owen Watkinson

While researching the history of the mountain, I came across the story of Owen Watkinson, a young British fighter pilot who flew a Venom fighter-bomber from RAF Sharjah during the conflict.

His mission was connected with Operation Black Magic, which involved an air blockade of rebel strongholds on top of Jebel Akhdar.

It is difficult to imagine the contrast.

Today, we drive these mountain roads looking at the scenery, taking photographs and enjoying the adventure.

Decades ago, aircraft were flying over these same mountains as part of a military operation.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

⚔️ The Buraimi & Jebel Akhdar Conflict

The story began around Al Ain and Buraimi, where territorial claims and the belief that oil reserves might exist in the area contributed to the conflict.

According to the historical account in our notes, Saudi Arabian forces occupied the town in August 1952.

A long stand-off followed between the Saudi forces and the British-led Oman forces.

By 1955, tensions had escalated.

The conflict eventually extended into the mountains of Oman, including Jebel Akhdar.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

🛩️ The Venom Fighter-Bomber

The Venom fighter-bomber played a role in the military operations around Jebel Akhdar.

One of the most remarkable parts of this history is the story of Owen Watkinson.

He took off from RAF Sharjah in his Venom fighter-bomber while still in his twenties.

During the operation, his aircraft crashed in the Green Mountain.

The historical account says that Owen Watkinson died in the crash and that local people buried his body beneath a pile of rocks shortly afterwards.

Standing in the same mountain landscape today makes this story feel surprisingly close.

The mountains haven't changed much.

The roads have.

The vehicles have.

But the landscape still holds traces of the events that happened here.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

🪨 The Crash Site

The crash site has since been affected by the construction of a tarmac road, which now bisects the area.

Most of the aircraft parts are no longer present.

What remains is mainly the story and the location.

For me, this was a reminder that some places don't need a large monument or museum to make you think.

Sometimes the landscape itself becomes the memorial.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

🚙 The Mountain Drive

Putting the history aside for a moment, the drive itself is fantastic.

The climb gives you a completely different experience from driving through Oman's deserts or wadis.

You have:

⛰️ Steep climbs
↪️ Hairpin turns
🪨 Rocky mountain terrain
🌄 Wide mountain views
🏔️ High-altitude landscapes

The higher you climb, the more dramatic the surroundings become.

This is where I really appreciate having a capable 4x4.

Not because you need to drive aggressively, but because the vehicle gives you confidence on the steep mountain roads.