Guide Note: The Yom Kippur War, also called the October War, was a conflict between Israel and a coalition of Arab states led by Syria and Egypt. The war began as a surprise attack on Israel during the October 6 holiday of Yom Kippur in 1973. Initially, the coalition made considerable advances but as the war progressed Israel gained strength and forced a retreat. By the time a cease-fire was signed on October 26, 1973, Israel had regained control of the invaded territories. Though the end result was a defeat for the Arab coalition, the Yom Kippur War was viewed as a vindication of the Six Day War, in which Israel had won a definitive victory. This increased support for the peace process and served as an impetus for the 1978 Camp David Accords. The war also led to Egypt's total withdrawal from Soviet influence and, eventually, normalized relations with Israel. The war also had a significant effect on United States foreign policy. The United States had backed Israel in the war and in response OPEC reduced fuel production by 5% per month, eventually leading to the 1973 energy crisis.

Fast Facts

1. Duration: October 6, 1973 to October 26, 1973
2. Attack launched on Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur
3. Largely a reaction to upset in the Six Day War
4. Offensive initiated by Egypt and Syria
5. Threats of Soviet involvement caused the United States to elevate to a nuclear alert

Causes

1. 1970: Anwar Sadat comes to power in Egypt, pledging to regain territory on the Sinai Peninsula lost in the Six Day War
2. Morale in Egypt was at an all-time low and Sadat believed a military victory was the only answer
3. Hafiz al-Assad of Syria believed the only way to regain the Golan Heights was through military action
4. The rest of neighboring Arab nations, particularly Jordan, were reluctant to go to war

Consequences

1. Israel proved conclusively they were a regional military power
2. Arab goal of military conquest of Israel was deemed an impossibility
3. Egypt was vindicated for its defeat during the Six Day War
4. Egypt moved out of Soviet influence
5. Reignited the peace process
6. Led to the 1978 Camp David Accords
7. OPEC sought to punish the United States for backing Israel
8. A 5% monthly reduction in fuel production led to the 1973 energy crisis

Israel Facts

1. Total force: 415,000
2. Casualties: 2,656 killed, 7,250 wounded
3. Egypt's surprise attack possible due to Israeli intelligence failure
4. Israel's strategy of preemptive attack was upset

Arab Facts

1. Total force: Over 1,000,000
2. Casualties: 8,528 to 15,000 killed, 19,540 to 35,000 wounded
3. Coalition of Egypt and Syria
4. Received assistance from Iraq
5. Despited eventual defeat, Arab nations viewed the war as a success due to early victories

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