On 6 Oct 1973, Egyptian and Syrian forces simultaneously attacked Israeli positions in Sinai and through the Golan Heights, respectively. After initial successes, the Combined Arab forces were either by-passed, outflanked or pushed back and the Israelis reached within 100km of their capitals (Cairo and Damascus) before a UN-brokered ceasefire on 24 Oct came into effect.

Like all wars, this one had its fair share of local tragedies; unlike others, this was a global catalyst to the end of the era of cheap energy.