Anwar Sadat
Anwar Sadat was born on the 25th of December 1918 in Mit Abu El Kom, a small town within the Monufia Governorate. He grew up in a poor family with fourteen siblings. His father came from Upper Egypt while his mother had Sudanese roots. This humble beginning shaped his early life before he entered the Royal Military Academy in Cairo. He graduated from that academy in 1938 and joined the Signal Corps as a second lieutenant. He was then posted to Anglo-Egyptian Sudan where he met Gamal Abdel Nasser. Together they formed the Free Officers movement to overthrow King Farouk I.
Sadat succeeded Nasser after the latter died in October 1970. Many expected his presidency to be short-lived because they viewed him as a puppet. He surprised everyone by retaining power through astute political moves. On the 15th of May 1971 he announced the Corrective Revolution. This purge removed Vice President Ali Sabri and Interior Minister Sharawi Gomaa from their posts. He also expelled Soviet military personnel from the country. These actions consolidated his authority and reformed the Egyptian army for future confrontation with Israel.
On the 6th of October 1973 Sadat launched the Yom Kippur War alongside Hafez al-Assad of Syria. They executed a surprise attack against Israeli forces occupying the Sinai Peninsula. The Egyptian military advanced approximately fifteen kilometers into occupied territory. They penetrated and largely destroyed the Bar Lev Line which was thought to be impregnable. This operation known as Operation Badr astonished both Israel and the Arab World. Three divisions of the Israeli army led by General Ariel Sharon later crossed the Suez Canal but failed to encircle the Second Army completely. A ceasefire resolution passed on the 22nd of October 1973 ended hostilities after days of fighting.
Sadat visited Jerusalem in January 1977 becoming the first Arab leader to officially enter Israeli-controlled territory. He met Prime Minister Menachem Begin and spoke before the Knesset about achieving comprehensive peace. The Camp David Accords followed these meetings facilitated by US President Jimmy Carter. Anwar Sadat and Menachem Begin signed the Egypt-Israel peace treaty on the 26th of March 1979 in Washington DC. Both leaders received the Nobel Peace Prize for creating this agreement. The treaty included mutual recognition cessation of war and complete withdrawal of Israeli armed forces from the Sinai Peninsula except Taba until 1989.
In January 1977 a series of Bread Riots protested Sadat's economic liberalization policy called Infitah. Government decrees lifted price controls on basic necessities like bread causing widespread anger. Hundreds of thousands of people participated in protests that lasted two days across Cairo. One hundred twenty buses and hundreds of buildings were destroyed in the capital alone. The army deployed to end the riots and re-instituted subsidies on essential goods. By 1980 rapid inflation strained relations with the Arab World despite resilient economic growth gained through improved ties with the West.
On the 6th of October 1981 Sadat was assassinated during an annual victory parade held in Cairo. Lieutenant Khalid Al-Islambuli emptied his assault rifle into the President while he stood at the front of the grandstand. Eleven others died including the Cuban ambassador and an Omani general. Twenty-eight people were wounded including Vice President Hosni Mubarak. The assassination squad had been led by Al-Islambuli after obtaining a fatwa from Omar Abdel-Rahman. Muhammad Abd al-Salam Faraj served as the chief strategist for the Egyptian Islamic Jihad group planning this attack.
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Common questions
When and where was Anwar Sadat born?
Anwar Sadat was born on the 25th of December 1918 in Mit Abu El Kom, a small town within the Monufia Governorate. He grew up in a poor family with fourteen siblings.
What major political event did Anwar Sadat announce on the 15th of May 1971?
On the 15th of May 1971 he announced the Corrective Revolution to consolidate his authority. This purge removed Vice President Ali Sabri and Interior Minister Sharawi Gomaa from their posts.
Which war did Anwar Sadat launch alongside Hafez al-Assad of Syria on the 6th of October 1973?
Anwar Sadat launched the Yom Kippur War on the 6th of October 1973 against Israeli forces occupying the Sinai Peninsula. The Egyptian military advanced approximately fifteen kilometers into occupied territory and largely destroyed the Bar Lev Line.
Where and when did Anwar Sadat sign the Egypt-Israel peace treaty?
Anwar Sadat signed the Egypt-Israel peace treaty on the 26th of March 1979 in Washington DC. Both leaders received the Nobel Peace Prize for creating this agreement which included complete withdrawal of Israeli armed forces from the Sinai Peninsula except Taba until 1989.
How was Anwar Sadat assassinated on the 6th of October 1981?
Anwar Sadat was assassinated during an annual victory parade held in Cairo by Lieutenant Khalid Al-Islambuli who emptied his assault rifle into the President while he stood at the front of the grandstand. Eleven others died including the Cuban ambassador and an Omani general.