CAIRO – 30 June 2020: The Egyptian Air Defense celebrates Tuesday its 50th day, marking the first day of the week dubbed "The Fall of the Phantom Week."
In the speech delivered on that occasion, Commander of Air Defense, Lieutenant General Ali Fahmy, affirmed readiness to repel any threats or challenges that may arise.
The branch commander expressed gratitude for all commanders, officers, non-commissioned officers, and soldiers who contributed in making such a great history.
"When the Air Defense was first founded, its men raced against time to build sites and fortifications, and to build a firewall under the pressure of strikes, and continuous hostile air raids," Fahmy said.
"June 30, 1970 marks the real declaration of the completion of the firewall as the jets of the enemy started to fall. That was an announcement that its strong-armed force was obliterated and its willpower to infiltrate the homeland's sky was broken. It proved Egypt's ability to impose its military willpower on the frontline," the Air Defense commander added.
At the time, Egypt and Israel were warring after the latter had occupied Sinai Peninsula on June 5, 1967 in the 6-day-war. In 1969, Egypt launched the "War of Attrition" whose target was weakening and targeting Israeli forces in Sinai.
On October 6, 1973, Egyptian forces crossed to the eastern bank of the Suez Canal, and destroyed Ber Lev Line – a chain of fortifications – in 6 hours. The war lasted until October 22, 1973 until Egypt restored 15 kilometers of its lands. Israeli forces retreated from the rest of the peninsula after signing the Treaty of Peace with Egypt,withthe mediation of the United States. However, Taba was recovered by Egypt through international arbitration in 1989.
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