ARAB ISRAEL WAR - 1948-1949

Above: Map of Israel in 1948 - 1949

{mosimage}Civil war broke out in Palestine following the declaration of Partition by the United Nations. During its course, the Jews consolidated their control on their assigned part of Palestine. During this period some of Arabs of Palestine suddenly became refugees. Many left the Jewish areas of their own accord, some were encouraged to leave by other Arabs and some were coerced to leave by the Jews.

Above: picture of Soldier killed during the war

YOM KIPPUR WAR

Above: Injured Israeli Army on the side of the road during YOM KIPPUR WAR

The most recent full-scale war in the history of the Middle East is the Yom Kippur War or October War, of 1973. It is so called because it started on the holy day of the Jews - the Day of Atonement or Yom Kippur. The two leaders of Israel and Egypt were Golda Meir and Anwar Saddat respectively.

Above: Uncrewed Syrian Tanks left behind at an Israeli anti-tank dike

Islamic Conquest of Egypt

{mosimage}Initially, Egypt was a part of Byzantine Empire and the capital was Constantinopole. However, in the year, 616, Persian Emperor Khosrau II decided to conquer Egypt. He was able to do so and conquered the land and ruled it for 13 years from 616 to 629.

The Egyptians being Christians had believed under the Byzantine rulers that Christ has two forms, one divine and another human, however, after Khosrau II took over, people of Egypt started accepting the form of Christ as only having divine form and not any other, thus becoming Monophysites. However, the Byzantine rulers then again took hold of Egypt and the new Emperor of Egypt, Heraclius started to persecute Monophysites and then began to expel those who were the religious chiefs of all Monophysites.