October Liberatory War 2023: Syria celebrates October Liberation War Day on October 6 to commemorate the 1973 Yom Kippur War. The Arab world’s modest victory in convincing Israel to return the Sinai Peninsula to Egypt is a notable aspect of the war. The conflict was stopped by a United Nations-brokered ceasefire, which paved the way for Israeli peace talks with Egypt despite the heavy Arab casualties and Israel’s relentless counterattack. This culminated in a formal peace treaty between the two states in 1979 and a renewed optimism for peace in the region, a notion that would prove to be more difficult to achieve than it initially appeared.
History of the October Revolutionary War
From the 1950s until the 1970s, the Middle East was beset by extreme tension. Arab states such as Egypt and Syria fought multiple conflicts against the Jewish state of Israel, which they believed had no right to occupy traditionally Arab territory that belonged to Palestine.
This geopolitical conflict reached its zenith in 1967, when Israel annexed several Egyptian, Lebanese, and Syrian territories following the Six-Day War. This included the extremely vital Sinai Peninsula, which belonged to Egypt and was a significant economic pillar in the region.
In an effort to regain control of the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt and Syria launched a surprise attack against Israel on Yom Kippur, October 6, 1973. Initially, the Arab side was effective in regaining control of Sinai. However, an impressive Israeli counterattack compelled Egyptian troops to retreat.
The Yom Kippur War, also known as the October Liberation War in Syria, had far-reaching consequences for both the Arab nations and Israel. Arab states believed that their initial gains helped vindicate their Six-Day War humiliation. In the meantime, Israel realized that continuing to engage in military conflict with its neighbors was no longer practicable.
In November 1973, a ceasefire brokered by the United Nations and the United States brought an end to the conflict. Although the Arab attempt to seize Sinai failed, the conflict prompted Israel to initiate peace talks with its neighbors, particularly Egypt. In consequence, the Camp David Accords were signed in 1978 and an Israeli-Egyptian peace treaty was ratified in 1979. These treaties allowed Egypt to reclaim the Sinai Peninsula, achieving a long-sought victory.
Syria views the Yom Kippur War as a turning point in reestablishing its territorial sovereignty. Therefore, it is an official holiday in the country.
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FAQS: OCTOBER LIBERATORY WAR
How many people were killed during the Yom Kippur War?
Egypt sustained between 5,000 and 15,000 casualties, while Syria suffered between 3,000 and 3,500. Other combatants, such as the Iraqi supplementary forces, suffered 278 fatalities. However, Israel suffered between 2,656 and 2,800 fatalities and 7,000 injuries. While the number was less than that of the Arabs, it was three times greater than their losses during the Six-Day War victory.
Why did the U.S. assist Israel during the Yom Kippur War?
In the context of the Cold War, the primary reasons why the United States backed Israel’s war endeavor become apparent. Arab nations such as Syria and Egypt received Soviet support at the time, and the United States viewed this as a potential threat to the region. As a consequence of the American involvement, the Arab states moved to ban further oil exports to the country, which led to the 1973 oil crisis.
How were Arab forces able to penetrate the Bar-Lev line?
The Bar-Lev Line was a series of fortifications constructed by Israel along the Suez Canal after the Six-Day War. It was regarded impregnable due to its well-designed road network and was a celebrated example of Israeli military engineering. During the Yom Kippur War, however, Egyptian forces were able to break through the barrier within two hours due to the surprise nature of their attack and the sheer number of soldiers involved. This contributed significantly to Israel’s initial wartime losses before their counterattack.
HOW TO OBSERVE THE OCTOBER FREEDOM WAR
Fly the flag of Syria!
It is a day of freedom! To commemorate the occasion, fly the Syrian flag aloft and wide to demonstrate national pride.
Research the dispute
To comprehend why the October Liberatory War was so crucial in the Arab–Israeli conflict, spare some time to read up on the history of the decades-long conflict. This will help you gain a deeper understanding of why it occurred and why its effects continue to be felt today.
Celebrate with your fellow citizens
The Syrian diaspora typically celebrates October Liberation War Day with cultural events and public gatherings. Celebrating with your fellow Syrians will instill in you a sense of national pride and an appreciation for what it means to be Syrian.
OCTOBER LIBERATORY WAR DATES
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | October 6 | Friday |
| 2024 | October 6 | Sunday |
| 2025 | October 6 | Monday |
| 2026 | October 6 | Tuesday |
| 2027 | October 6 | Wednesday |
