I just happened to be in Sohar yesterday (24 May 2014 at 4 pm)...and passed by the old Fort which is accredited as being the area from which cannon were first fired in Oman in 1616.
By chance I caught the Fort disrobed of its usual overall thick covering of whitewash (view the whitewash lining the gun ports...)and underneath is the amazing myriad of brick and stonework showing its repairs and renovation down the ages.. A couple of English cannon grace the main doors..plus plastic rain/dust covers..
There is an ongoing major restoration and repair underway...