What is May War?
The term "May War" may not be as well-known as some of the more significant conflicts in history, but it refers to the Golan Heights’ 1948 Arab–Israeli War. In this article, we’ll delve into the events and significance of this lesser-known conflict.
History Leading Up to the May War
Background:
The history of the Golan Heights dates back to the Second World War, when Israel was created. The United Nations decided to divide Palestine into two parts: Arab and Jewish states. Arab states rejected the plan and attacked the new state on May 14, 1948. The war saw the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people, causing significant human suffering.
The Golan Heights, bordering the borders of the newly created states, saw intense fighting. The terrain was strategically significant, allowing control of the surrounding valleys and roads. The main belligerents included Israel, Jordan, Egypt, and Syria.
Key Events:
- April 17th, 1948:
A meeting took place at the Hotel Metropole in Damascus between Syrian Defense Minister Khalid al-Azm and Syrian General Riad el-Assi in which they planned to strike at Israel on May 15th, 1948. - April 30th, 1948:
Mossad LeAliyah Bet, an Israeli agent, killed Syria’s Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Riad el-Husainy, leading to Syria declaring war against Israel. - April 24th, 1948:
Abd el-Kader Qasem al-Hardini, an Arab-Jewish collaborator, attacked the city of Safad, an act that brought about its occupation by Palestinian forces. - Early May 1948:
Israeli forces, reinforced by foreign mercenaries, invaded the Syrian part of Palestine, prompting Syrian forces’ counter-attack.
The War
The first direct clashes occurred on May 11, 1948, with Israeli air raids targeting Damascus and Amman, as well as the invasion of the Wadi Ara. The Jewish forces fought well, inflicting heavy losses on both the Jordanian and Palestinian forces. Syrian forces captured the border towns of Hader, Shaqbeh, and Yafa, bringing them to within 24 kilometers of Haifa’s outskirts.
In the Wadi Ara area, Haganah units, now known as the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), resisted the attack on the Palestinian forces and recaptured the Kfar Zeit, Kfer Yeruham, Beit Yera and other vital positions. It was significant for Israeli defense.
Some of the main battles held during this time include Kfar Zeit and Kfer Yeruham, resulting in an early victory over the Jordanian forces’ invasion, capturing the road to Tiberias while the Suez-Syria Operation made it easier for the troops to access these areas quickly.
Consequences of the May War
Armistice Agreements:
Following a series of battles and border skirmishes, Israel signed armistice agreements with Syria July 20th 1949, and Syria May 11, 1949, formally ending hostilities and establishing their borders. As a direct result, Israel lost control over Golan and the areas east of their borders, an area strategically significant to Israeli defense strategies.
Implications
- Geopolitics:
- Created a sense of uneasiness for other Arab powers, Egypt and Jordan as they fought each other after the initial failure to help the other’s forces,
- Israeli forces faced a much broader threat while fighting Syria
- The situation contributed to greater tensions within Israel, driving the desire to secure national borders.
- Influence on Peace Talks and Diplomacy:
- A significant example of a lesser-known peace agreement was negotiated between Turkey and Syria and the State of Israel.
Contemporary Relevance
Some of the reasons why today’s wars should be influenced by historical records include:
- A history of tension and competition has been known to affect a nation’s ability to secure peace after a conflict,
- Geopolitics in the Mediterranean region are subject to major changes that would have resulted in this 1949 armistice agreement potentially being compromised by the ever-changing Middle Eastern landscape since then.
The May war, 1948 war, shows us that despite the historical complexity of Israeli-Arab conflict, Israeli forces showed bravery and their ability to work together; it has served as a powerful model for war and a strategic lesson.
