Suez Canal Crisis
Suez Canal Crisis began on 29th October 1956 when Israeli armed forces pushed into Egypt towards the Suez Canal after Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser nationalised the canal. This canal was a valuable waterway that controlled two-thirds of the oil used by the Europe. The Israelis were soon joined by French and British forces which nearly brought the Soviet Union into the conflict and damaged their relationships with US.
This canal has existed in one form or other since the construction started under the reign of Senausret III, Pharao of Egypt (1887-1849 BC). Many Kings who ruled later kept improving and expanding this canal. Construction picked up the pace around 300 years back as maritime trade between Europe and Asia became crucial. In 1799, Napoleon Bonaparte’s efforts to build a proper canal were brought to an end due to inaccuracy in the measurements.
In mid-1800s, French Diplomat and Engineer Ferdinand convinced the Egyptian Viceroy Said Pasha to support the Canal’s construction. In 1858, Universal Suez Ship Canal Company was tasked to construct and operate the canal for 99 years after which rights would be handed to the Egyptian govt. The canal was opened for international navigation in 1869. The French and British held most of the shares in the canal company.
The British used their position to sustain their maritime and colonial interests by maintaining a defensive force along the suez canal zone as part of 1936 treaty. In 1954, facing pressure from Egyptian nationalists, the two countries signed a 7-year treaty that led to the withdrawal of British troops.
In 1956, Egyptian President Abdel Nasser nationalised the Suez Canal to pay for the construction of a dam on the Nile river. The Egypt was furious with the US for reneging on a promise to provide funds for the construction of the Aswan Dam on the Nile river. Nasser ordered the Suez canal seized and nationalised, arguing tolls from the ships passing through the canal would pay for the Dam.
Thus, the British were angered by the move and sought the support of the French and neighbouring Israel. This led to the Suez crisis with UK, France and Israel mounting an attack on Egypt.
As the Israelis struck first on October 29, 1956. After the two days, British and French forces joined them. Originally, these 3 countries forces were set to strike at once but French and British troops were delayed. But ultimately successful, the British and French troops landed at Port Said and Port Fuad and took control of the area around the Suez Canal. This delayed time had given the Soviet Union time to respond.
The Soviet Union eager to exploit Arab nationalism and gain a foothold in the Middle East by supplied arms from Czechoslovakia to the Egyptian Government beginning in 1956 and eventually, helped Egypt to construct the Aswan Dam on the Nile River.
The Then US President Dwight Eisenhower warned the Soviet Union about the reckless talk of nuclear conflict. They also issued warning to the French, British and Israelis to give up their campaign and withdraw their troops. They were upset from British for not informing US about their intentions. US also threatened all three nations with economic sanctions if they persisted in their attack. Then British and French forces withdrew by December, 1956 and Israel finally bowed to US pressure in March 1957.
The Suez crisis marked the first use of a United Nations peacekeeping force. Thus, This crisis made Nasser a powerful hero in the growing Arab and Egyptian Nationalist movements. Israel while it did not gain the right to utilize the canal, was once again granted the rights to ship goods along the Straits of Tiran.