Middle East@War-The Arab-Israeli War of Attrition, 1967–1973 Volume 3

The Arab–Israeli conflict persisted through two wars and ongoing border tensions. However, the Six-Day War of June 1967 was a cataclysm. Israel emerged victorious in a war with neighboring Arab states and in possession of occupied territory. The Arabs were furious at this outcome and determined to regain their lands and dignity by again making war with Israel. Added to the mix was a resurgent Palestinian liberation movement. Renewed fighting began within weeks. It became a period of sustained combat, casualties, fiscal outlay, and diplomacy on the world stage unlike anything experienced previously. All involved militaries remained very active over these years with more consistent mobilization, intensive training, and action than ever before. Each side deepened their dependence on superpower arms supply. The geopolitical stakes rose and Israel found itself fighting the Soviets indirectly on the borders and terrorist internationally. Adversary forces grew in size, adopted more complex weapons, and trained in new tactics, all in the tumult of combat of escalating intensity. The danger of this sparking another general war with potential superpower involvement was high. This period is collectively referred to as the War of Attrition.The named War of Attrition on the Suez Canal began on 8 March 1969, and ended with a ceasefire 17 months later. However, there was combat on all fronts before and after. Palestinian irregulars operating from Jordan brought about Israeli counter-insurgency operations in the West Bank and Jordan. Israeli special operations and bombing inside Jordan sought to compel that government to reign in the guerrillas and this greatly threatened the economy. The Palestinian elements challenged the Jordanian government itself and a civil war erupted that saw a…