Written by Background: Following the Six-Day War of 1967, in which Israel captured significant territories from its neighboring countries, tensions remained high in the Middle East. Egypt and Syria sought to regain the territories they had lost to Israel.
What Happened: The Yom Kippur War began on October 6, 1973, when Egyptian and Syrian forces launched a surprise attack on Israeli positions in the Sinai Peninsula and the Golan Heights. The attack took place on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, when most Israeli soldiers were either at home or fasting. Egyptian forces crossed the Suez Canal and breached the Israeli Bar Lev Line, while Syrian forces advanced on the Golan Heights. The initial success of the Arab forces was significant, catching the Israeli military off guard and inflicting heavy losses. The coordinated assault was part of an effort to regain territories that had been lost to Israel during the Six-Day War of 1967. For the first few days of the war, the Arab forces made significant gains, as Israel struggled to mobilize its reserves. However, after a week of intense fighting, Israel began to regain its footing. With substantial U.S. military aid, Israeli forces were able to counterattack and push the Syrians back on the Golan Heights while crossing the Suez Canal and encircling Egyptian forces. The war lasted until October 25, 1973, when a United Nations-brokered ceasefire came into effect. The conflict resulted in heavy casualties on both sides and a significant reshaping of the military and political landscape of the Middle East.
Impact for the Future: The Yom Kippur War had a profound impact on the Middle East and global geopolitics. It led to a reevaluation of U.S. and Soviet policies in the region and prompted a renewed effort to resolve the Arab-Israeli conflict diplomatically, eventually leading to the Camp David Accords in 1978. The war also had significant economic consequences, as it led to the Arab oil embargo, causing a global energy crisis that reshaped energy policies and international relations.