6th of October

Yom Kippur October 6th, 1973: Egypt and Syria launch as a surprise attack on Israel in the Sinai and in Golan Heights. Egypt and Syria had lost these lands in the Six Day War in June of 1967 under the Egyptian leadership of Gamal Abdel Nasser. In 1970 Nasser suffered a massive heart attack and died. His successor, a revolutionary by the name of Anwar Sadat vowed to take back the lands Egypt had lost. The first attack was launched on the morning of Yom Kippur and during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. Sadat strategically chose Yom Kippur because the Israeli state largely shuts down on that day, the holiest on the Jewish Calender. Sadat gave plenty of indications for war but the US convinced Israel to not launch a preemptive strike. The war would go on until October 25th. In the first several days the Egyptians and the Syrians made tremendous gains. Egypt landed troops on the Sinai and Sadat was seen as a hero. As the war went on the Israeli's launched impressive counter attacks downing almost the entire Arab Air Force, capturing or destroying 2300 tanks, and killing over 10,000 people. The Israelis suffered about 2500 casualties and lost only 600 of their 2300 tanks. 

At the end of the war the Egyptians had captured the Suez canal zone but failed to capture the whole Sinai Peninsula. The Syrians fared even worse and actually lost more land in Golan Heights. The 6th of October war effected the entire world. The Soviets, on the side of the Egyptians went as far as to threaten Nuclear war with the US who was supplying the Israeli's with weapons. Two weeks after the War OPEC decided to cut oil production 5% a month indefinitely. As a response the US sent $2.2 Billion in appropriations to Israel. Saudi Arabia and later the other members of OPEC declared an embargo against the US and other Israeli supports prompting the 1973 Energy Crisis. 

October 6th, 1981: President Anwar Sadat is assassinated by members of his own military while commemorating the recapturing of the Suez in 1973. Sadat was succeeded by Hosni Mubarak who still serves as President of Egypt today. 

Sadat became known as a pioneer for Peace after the 6th of October war. He went as far as to hold agree to Peace talks with the Israeli's. He wanted an end to all the wars that plagued the area. Other Arab nations saw this as betrayal. How could he sit in the same room with the Israeli's? They concluded he wanted Egypt's land back in the Sinai, which he eventually got. His alienation from the rest of the Arab world in the years leading up to his assassination made him a prime target for extremists. Many Egyptians think his assassination was an inside job and that the US had a hand in it. No concrete evidence shows this. 

Legacy of the war: Egypt still sees the war as a major victory. 6th of October is known as the Armed Forces Holiday here. An urban development of about half a million people about 30km outside of Cairo has been named 6th of October City. One of the main bridges over the Nile is known as 6th of October Bridge. Despite the heavy losses the Egyptians sustained they view the event largely as a victory. 

Hope you enjoyed this short history lesson. Have a great 6th of October. 

djm