President Sisi discusses national security topics with army leaders on 1973 war anniversary

CAIRO – 6 October 2024: Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi held an extensive meeting with military leaders on Saturday to discuss several key topics related to the Armed Forces' role in safeguarding Egypt's national security across all strategic directions, the Presidency said in a statement.

The meeting addressed the current events unfolding in the region as the nation is celebrating the 51st anniversary of the glorious 6th of October 1973 victory over Israel.

Sisi, also Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, expressed his appreciation to the Armed Forces for their efforts and sacrifices, ensuring that the nation's flag remains high and its people enjoy security and stability throughout the country.

Accompanied by Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Minister of Defense and Military Production, General Abdel Mageed Saqr, and Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Ahmed Khalifa, Sisi laid a wreath at the memorial for the martyrs of the Armed Forces in Nasr City.

The military bands played the "Martyr’s Salute" in a traditional military tribute to the noble martyrs of Egypt.

He also placed a wreath at the tomb of the late President Anwar Sadat, recited Al-Fatiha, and greeted several members of his family.

The president also greeted a number of senior state officials, leaders of the main branches of the Armed Forces, and other military commanders.

Sisi then proceeded to the tomb of the late President Gamal Abdel Nasser in Kobri El-Qoba, where he laid a wreath, recited Al-Fatiha and greeted several members of his family.

October war victories

The October victory was launched by Egypt and Syria, bolstered by military, political, and economic Arab support against Israel in 1973.

The war commenced on Saturday, October 6, 1973, corresponding to the 10th of Ramadan 1393 AH, with a surprise attack by the Egyptian and Syrian armies on Israeli forces stationed in the Sinai Peninsula and the Golan Heights.

Known as the Yom Kippur War in Israel, this war saw the Egyptian and Syrian armies achieve strategic objectives through their military ambush on Israel with the initial days witnessing significant advancements.

Egyptian forces penetrated 20 km east of the Suez Canal and Syrian forces entered deep into the Golan Heights.

In the war's aftermath, US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger acted as a mediator, reaching a ceasefire agreement that remains in effect between Syria and Israel. Egypt and Israel later brokered a comprehensive peace agreement at Camp David in 1979.

The war officially concluded with the signing of the Disengagement Agreement on 31 May, 1974.

Israel agreed to return the city of Quneitra to Syria and the eastern bank of the Suez Canal to Egypt in exchange for the withdrawal of Egyptian and Syrian forces from the ceasefire line and the establishment of a UN peacekeeping force to monitor the agreement.

Key outcomes of the war included reclaiming full sovereignty over the Suez Canal, regaining all territories in the Sinai Peninsula, and retrieving parts of the Syrian Golan Heights, including the city of Quneitra, back to Syrian sovereignty.

Additionally, the war shattered the myth of Israel's invincibility perpetuated by Israeli military leaders, paving the way for the Camp David Accords between Egypt and Israel in September 1978.

The war also led to the resumption of navigation in the Suez Canal in June 1975.