The Operation Badr

Operation Badr is the codename given to the joint Syrian and Egyptian attack on Israel. The surprise attack began on the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur at 1400 on October 6, 1973. Coincidentally, not only did this war start on the holiest of Jewish holidays, but it was also fought during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan which is why it is still referred to as the Ramadan war in the Muslim world. The purpose of this essay is threefold: first, to explore exactly why this war was fought in the first place; secondly, to outline the major battles and operations that took place between the Syrian and Israeli forces; and lastly, to articulate why the Syrians failed to achieve victory. The roots of the 1973 October war between Israel and Syria can be directly traced to the 1967 Six Day war. Faced with hostile intent and provocations by the Arab world, Israel launched a surprise attack simultaneously on both …show more content…
First, as mentioned previously, the attack was launched on the holiest of Jewish holidays, Yom Kippur. Befitting a major holiday, a large portion of Israeli soldiers were away on leave and most Israeli reservists were away from home worshipping at synagogues throughout Israel. When the Syrian assault commenced, they were met by a thinly manned defensive line. Secondly, despite an obvious Syrian buildup of military power all along the Golan Heights prior to the 6th of October attack, the Israelis decided not to react. Israel failed to reciprocate the massing of men and equipment because they feared censure from the United Nations and the loss of US economic and military support. So, when on September 13, 1973, 13 Syrian MIGs were shot down by Israeli fighters over contested airspace, the Syrian leader Assad began to marshal his invasion force on the border, Israel did nothing in response out of fear as being seen as the aggressor (Aker,