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Yom Kippur War

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The Yom Kippur War was a major conflict in the Middle East.

1973 sinai war maps
1973 sinai war maps

It took place from October 6 to October 25 in 1973. The war was fought between Israel and a group of Arab states. This coalition was led by Egypt and Syria. Many people also call it the October War or the Ramadan War. It was a very important event in the long Arab-Israeli conflict. This conflict has included many battles since Israel was founded in 1948.

The war began with a sudden surprise attack.

Anwar Sadat cropped
Anwar Sadat cropped

The fighting started on Yom Kippur, which is a holy day for Jewish people. This day also fell during Ramadan for Muslim people. Egyptian forces used a plan called Operation Badr to cross the Suez Canal.

Bridge Crossing
Bridge Crossing

At the same time, Syrian forces moved into the Golan Heights.

Column of Syrian tanks and armored vehicles invades Golan Heights in the beginning of the Yom Kippur war, 1973
Column of Syrian tanks and armored vehicles invades Golan Heights in the beginning of the Yom Kippur war, 1973

Most of the fighting happened in these two areas. These lands had been held by Israel since the Six-Day War in 1967.

Both sides received help from very powerful countries. The United States sent many supplies to help Israel. The Soviet Union sent supplies to help the Arab states.

Egyptian MIG 21s during Yom Kippur War
Egyptian MIG 21s during Yom Kippur War

This help made the two superpowers very tense with each other. The fighting was very intense on many different fronts. Israeli forces eventually pushed back the Syrian troops to the Purple Line.

The Bloody Valley of Tears Battle - Flickr - Israel Defense Forces
The Bloody Valley of Tears Battle - Flickr - Israel Defense Forces

Later, Israeli troops moved toward the Suez Canal to face the Egyptian armies.

Leaders on both sides had to make very hard choices.

Golda Meir2
Golda Meir2

Egyptian President Anwar Sadat wanted to return the Sinai Peninsula to Egypt. He had even suggested peace ideas in 1971. However, many peace attempts failed before the war began. Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir led her country during the fighting. The fighting lasted for many days until a ceasefire was reached. A United Nations ceasefire was signed on October 22, but fighting started again. A second ceasefire finally ended the war on October 25.

This war led to big changes in how countries acted.

Captured m60
Captured m60

The war helped start a peace process between Israel and its neighbors. In 1978, the Camp David Accords were signed. This led to a peace treaty between Egypt and Israel. As part of this deal, Israel returned the Sinai Peninsula to Egypt. This was the first time an Arab country recognized Israel. These events changed the history of the whole region forever.

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🖼️ Images & Media (49)
File:Anwar Sadat cropped.jpg
Anwar Sadat cropped.jpg
File:Golda Meir2.jpg
Golda Meir2.jpg
File:Hatzerim 290110 Sukhoi 7.jpg
Hatzerim 290110 Sukhoi 7.jpg
File:Bridge Crossing.jpg
Bridge Crossing.jpg
File:1973 sinai war maps.jpg
1973 sinai war maps.jpg
File:Israeli A-4 Skyhawk Wreckage.jpg
Israeli A-4 Skyhawk Wreckage.jpg
File:Egyptian MIG 21s during Yom Kippur War.jpg
Egyptian MIG 21s during Yom Kippur War.jpg
File:MirageIIIShotDownByMiG-21.jpg
MirageIIIShotDownByMiG-21.jpg
File:Ofira Air Battle.jpg
Ofira Air Battle.jpg
File:destroyed m60.jpg
destroyed m60.jpg
File:Egyptian and Israeli Tanks Destroyed Near the Suez Canal During Yom Kippur War, 1973.jpg
Egyptian and Israeli Tanks Destroyed Near...
File:Captured m60.jpg
Captured m60.jpg

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