The October War of 1973

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The 20th century could be defined by the many wars that took place during it. Although the average world citizen may only see World War 1 and World War 2 as being the only two major wars that changed the course of world history, the world would not be what it is today if not for the many other respectively smaller wars that took place. The October War of 1973 is one of those wars in which in the grand scheme of things it is overlooked, but it no doubt changed the course of world history. There is a great deal of controversy associated with this war, with both sides claiming to have been victorious.
The October War of 1973 was fought between Israel, and their Arab neighbors: Egypt and Syria. There were tensions left over from the Six Day War of 1967 in which Israel successfully captured both the Egyptian Sinai peninsula and Gaza strip and the strategic Golan Heights from Syria1 [4]. After the Six Day War there was a ceasefire line created in Syria and Egypt separating Israel’s newly acquired land from Egypt and Israel. Anwar el-Sadat became president of Egypt in 1970, and he took over an “economically troubled nation that could ill afford to continue its endless crusade against Israel”2 [4]. In 1972 el-Sadat forms an alliance with Syria and began his planning for their attack on Israel3. [1]
Then on October 6, 1973 during Yom Kippur and the Islamic holy month of Ramadan; the Egyptians sent 220 air force jets followed by infantry into the Sinai Peninsula and at the same time Syria launched an attack on Golan Heights4.[1] Israel had a spy in Egypt, Ashraf Marwan, and he warned Israel’s intelligence chief, Zvi Zamir, on October 5th, one day before the pending attacks5[1]. This warning gave the Israeli’s some time to prepare for t...

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... Accessed April 2, 2014. http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/six_day_war_1967.htm.
7 “OPEC states declare oil embargo,” The History Channel website, http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/opec-states-declare-oil-embargo (accessed Apr 10, 2014).
8. Hassan Elmalah, (First Lieutenant in October War), interview by Mustafa Elmalah, Over the phone"The October War," Record, april 4, 2014.
9. Connolly, Kevin. BBC, "Legacy of 1973 Arab-Israeli war reverberates 40 years on." Last modified october 5, 2013. Accessed April 4, 2014. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-24402464.
10 Gwertzman, Bernard . "Egypt and Israel Sign Formal Treaty." The New York Times, Late city edition edition, sec. headline, May 27, 1979.
11. WorldsAssassinations.. "The Assassination of Anwar El Sadat" Recorded november 18 2008 october 6 1981. Web, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhu-YgCyPz4.

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