October War of Liberation Anniversary

October War of Liberation Anniversary

October 6

In Syria, the anniversary of the Arab-Israeli War of 1973 is celebrated on October 6, the day the hostilities started with a surprise attack by Syrian and Egyptian forces that caught the Israelis off guard during the Jewish fast of Yom Kippur. Although the Arab armies were turned back, they inflicted heavy casualties on Israel and reclaimed some of the land they had lost in the Six-Day War. Also known as Tishrin —after the month of October in which the war started—the celebration tends to play up the Arab soldiers' role in the war with special television broadcasts glorifying the conflict, art exhibits, plays, films, concerts, rallies, and wreath-laying ceremonies. No mention is made of the fact that 6,000 Syrians died in the conflict, or that Israeli troops reached the outskirts of Damascus.
In Egypt, October 6 is Armed Forces Day, commemorating the Egyptians' role in the October War. Anwar Sadat, the hero of that war, was assassinated on October 6, 1981, while viewing the Armed Forces Day parade.
See also Armed Forces Day (Egypt)

CONTACTS:
Embassy of Syria
2215 Wyoming Ave. N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008
202-232-6313; fax: 202-234-9548
www.syrianembassy.us

Celebration day: Oct 6