Battle of Suez

Battle of Suez

The Battle of Suez was a significant military engagement that took place during the Yom Kippur War on October 24–25, 1973. The battle occurred in the city of Suez, located in Egypt.

Background

The Yom Kippur War, also known as the October War, was fought by a coalition of Arab states led by Egypt and Syria against Israel from October 6 to October 25, 1973. The war began with a surprise attack on the Jewish holy day of Yom Kippur.

Prelude

As the war progressed, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched a counteroffensive across the Suez Canal into Egypt. The IDF aimed to encircle the Egyptian 3rd Army, which was positioned east of the canal.

The Battle

The battle commenced on October 24, 1973, when Israeli forces attempted to capture the city of Suez. The city was strategically important as it controlled access to the southern end of the Suez Canal.

Israeli forces, under the command of Avraham Adan, faced stiff resistance from the Egyptian 3rd Army, commanded by Abdel Moneim Khalil. The Egyptians had fortified the city and were prepared for a defensive battle.

Outcome

Despite initial successes, the Israeli forces encountered fierce urban combat and were unable to secure the city. The battle resulted in heavy casualties on both sides, with approximately 500 Egyptian and 80 Israeli soldiers killed.

The Egyptian Army managed to hold the city, resulting in a tactical victory for Egypt. The battle marked one of the last major engagements of the Yom Kippur War.

Aftermath

Following the battle, a ceasefire was brokered by the United Nations, leading to the end of hostilities on October 25, 1973. The Camp David Accords in 1978 eventually led to a peace treaty between Egypt and Israel.

See also

• Yom Kippur War
• Suez Canal
• Camp David Accords

References

Chaim,

 The War of Atonement: The Inside Story of the Yom Kippur War, 
  
 Little, Brown and Company, 
 1975,

Michael B.,

 Six Days of War: June 1967 and the Making of the Modern Middle East, 
  
 Oxford University Press, 
 2002,

External links

• Yom Kippur War - History.com