Supervisor Elham AbolFateh
Editor in Chief Mohamed Wadie

48th Anniv. of 6th October War: Battle of Dignity and Reform


Wed 06 Oct 2021 | 10:52 AM
Omnia Ahmed

At 14:00 hours (Cairo local time) on 6 October 1973, the Egyptian Armed Forces launched an offensive against Israeli troops, bringing down a series of fortifications known as the Bar Lev Line.

Tactically, the canal crossing was bold and ingenious. The Egyptian army had to destroy a giant defensive sand barrier “with high-pressure water hoses, and install pontoon bridges to transfer armored vehicles, tanks, and soldiers to the other side of the canal."

Israeli troops retreated 15 kilometers east of the Suez Canal while Syrian forces attacked Israeli troops near the Golan Heights.

The war, which lasted for almost two weeks, paved the way for negotiations that was concluded with the Peace Treaty between Israel and Egypt in 1979, and the liberation of the entire Sinai Peninsula (except Taba, which was restored to Egypt through international arbitration in 1989).

Egyptian women in the 6 October war demonstrated their patriotism as they hid and transported weapons for the Egyptian forces, volunteered as nurses, and donated their jewelry to the nation for arms purchases.

The Egyptian Armed Forces have become a model to be followed by in the art of war. The brave Egyptian soldiers sacrificed their lives for the sake of the homeland to regain their land, rights and dignity.

The 6 October War, which has become a lesson to be taught in all military institutions, brought about several positive changes in the Arab world and Middle East region and brought change in military strategies worldwide.

Egyptian and Arab fighters regained their confidence in themselves and their leaders. Moreover, the October War was a main factor in restoring co-operation between all Arab countries and made the Arab world an international power.

To spread military awareness and patriotism among young people and to acquaint them with the glories and sacrifices of the war, the el-Alamein Museum, the Port Said Museum, the outdoor display of the 6th of October Panorama and National Military Museum are open today free of charge as part of celebrations.