October Liberatory War in Syria 2023: Date, History, Facts about Israel–Arab Conflict

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.

The background of October Liberatory 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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5 Interesting Israel–Arab Conflict Facts

In 1979, Egypt was the first Arab nation to recognize Israel as an independent state.

Some of the territories Israel annexed in 1967, including the Golan Heights in Syria and the West Bank in Palestine, are still occupied by Israel today.

From 1958 to 1971, Egypt and Syria formed a large political union that essentially functioned as a single state under the name United Arab Republic.

Syria has not yet established diplomatic relations with Israel, nor has it recognized Israel as a nation.

The United Nations Security Council passed 131 resolutions concerning the Arab–Israeli and Israeli–Palestinian conflicts between 1967 and 1989.

OCTOBER LIBERATORY WAR DATES