6.2 The 1973 Yom Kippur War and its aftermath

The Yom Kippur War of 1973 marked a turning point in the Arab-Israeli conflict. Egypt and Syria launched a surprise attack on Israel, catching the country off guard and initially making significant gains.

The war's aftermath reshaped Middle Eastern politics and global economics. It led to diplomatic breakthroughs, including Kissinger's shuttle diplomacy, but also triggered an oil crisis that impacted the world economy.

The Yom Kippur War

Sadat's Strategic Surprise Attack

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• Yom Kippur War erupted on October 6, 1973, when Egypt and Syria launched a coordinated surprise attack against Israel
• Egyptian President Anwar Sadat orchestrated the offensive to reclaim the Sinai Peninsula lost during the Six-Day War in 1967
• Operation Badr initiated the conflict with Egyptian forces crossing the Suez Canal and breaching the Israeli Bar-Lev Line
• Syrian forces simultaneously attacked the Golan Heights, catching Israel off guard during the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur
• Initial Arab successes shocked Israeli leadership and threatened Israel's territorial gains from previous conflicts

Israeli Counter-offensive and Battlefield Dynamics

• Israel mobilized its reserves and launched a counter-offensive after initial setbacks
• Israeli forces pushed back Syrian troops and advanced towards Damascus
• In the Sinai, Israeli army crossed the Suez Canal and encircled the Egyptian Third Army
• Soviet Union threatened intervention, prompting the United States to raise its nuclear alert level
• Intense fighting lasted for 18 days, resulting in heavy casualties on both sides

Diplomatic Efforts and Ceasefire

Kissinger's Shuttle Diplomacy

• U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger engaged in shuttle diplomacy to broker a ceasefire
• Kissinger traveled between Israel, Egypt, and Syria to negotiate terms acceptable to all parties
• His efforts focused on ending hostilities and laying groundwork for future peace negotiations
• Shuttle diplomacy involved separate meetings with leaders to overcome communication barriers
• Kissinger's approach helped build trust and facilitated gradual progress towards a ceasefire

United Nations Intervention

• UN Security Council passed Resolution 338 on October 22, 1973, calling for an immediate ceasefire
• Resolution 338 reaffirmed the principles of Resolution 242 from 1967, emphasizing land for peace
• UN-brokered ceasefire took effect on October 25, 1973, officially ending the Yom Kippur War
• United Nations Emergency Force (UNEF) deployed to monitor the ceasefire and separate combatants
• Resolution 338 became a cornerstone for subsequent peace negotiations in the Arab-Israeli conflict

Aftermath and Consequences

Economic Repercussions and Oil Crisis

• OPEC oil embargo imposed on countries supporting Israel, primarily targeting the United States
• Arab oil-producing countries reduced production and banned oil exports to the U.S. and other nations
• Global oil prices quadrupled, triggering an energy crisis and economic recession in many countries
• Embargo highlighted the West's dependence on Middle Eastern oil and reshaped international relations
• Crisis led to increased interest in energy conservation and alternative energy sources worldwide

Diplomatic Breakthroughs and Disengagement

• Sinai Disengagement Agreements negotiated in 1974 and 1975 to separate Israeli and Egyptian forces
• First Sinai Disengagement Agreement (Sinai I) signed on January 18, 1974, established buffer zones
• Second Sinai Disengagement Agreement (Sinai II) signed on September 4, 1975, further reduced tensions
• Agreements included provisions for early warning systems and limitations on military deployments
• Disengagement process paved the way for the Camp David Accords and the Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty in 1979