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Question:

Who actually won in the Yom Kippur War in 1973?

Israeli and western references speak of Israel's victory in this war, while Arabs and Russians state that the Arabs (especially Egypt) won the war. Who do you think is right? Why?


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: Just my opinion but after reading about the Yom Kippur War also known as the Ramadan War or October War was settled by a cease fire on October 26, 1973. Israel suffered huge setbacks at the beginning but turned the tide against Syria and Egypt who deployed 300,000+ troops against them. Syrian/Egyptian forces suffered 12,000 killed, 25,000 wounded, 2300 tanks destroyed and 432 aircraft lost...Israel lost 2700 killed, 7500 wounded, 400 tanks destroyed but close to 600 battle damaged tanks were repaired and returned to service and also lost 100 aircraft. From a military material viewpoint, Israel won but Egypt & Syria were able to totally surprise Israel tactically and led to an overhaul of the Israel intelligence apparatus. I think it was pretty much a draw with no clear definitive winner.

Fallout from this conflict was Saudi Arabia who was financially supporting Egypt & Syria decided to cut oil production that month and singled out allies of Israel namely the US & Holland for their unflinching support of Israel during the war and when the US resupplied Israel with air flights through Holland (England, France & Germany refused to allow our aircraft to use their airfields) the oil embargo to the US & Holland began.

Good question, BTW.