American and British support for financing the Aswan High Dam is withdrawn.
World History Database
Suez War
The Suez Crisis of 1956 grew out of Egypt's nationalisation of the Suez Canal Company after Western financing for the Aswan High Dam was withdrawn. Britain and France sought international control of the canal while Egypt insisted on sovereign control. After diplomatic efforts failed, Israel invaded Sinai on 29 October 1956 under Operation Kadesh. Britain and France then issued an ultimatum, opened an air campaign and landed forces near Port Said. United States, Soviet and United Nations pressure forced a ceasefire in early November. The United Nations Emergency Force was deployed, British and French forces withdrew in December, Israeli withdrawal was completed in March 1957, and the canal reopened under Egyptian control in April 1957.
289 database records
— people represented
— nationalities/countries
1952–1957 record span
Basic events
Key stages of the crisis and war.
Gamal Abdel Nasser announces the nationalisation of the Suez Canal Company.
Maritime powers meet in London to seek an international settlement for canal operation.
Robert Menzies leads a five-nation mission to Cairo; Nasser rejects international control.
Britain, France and Israel secretly coordinate the sequence leading to military intervention.
Israel invades Sinai and advances toward the canal.
Britain and France demand Israeli and Egyptian withdrawal from the canal zone.
British and French aircraft attack Egyptian airfields and military targets.
Airborne and amphibious forces land around Port Said and advance along the canal.
International political, financial and military pressure brings the fighting to a halt.
United Nations Emergency Force personnel begin deploying to supervise the ceasefire and withdrawal.
The last British and French forces leave Port Said.
Israeli forces complete withdrawal from Egyptian territory.
The Suez Canal reopens after clearance operations, remaining under Egyptian control.
Those involved
People represented in the Suez War records, grouped by nationality.
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