Canadian International Peacekeeping

‘Canada would again demonstrate its peacekeeping ability on the Second United Nations Emergency Force, which was formed to oversee the conclusion of the Yom Kippur War, again being fought in the Suez region of Egypt. The war was a follow up to the Six Day War in 1967 as well as the neutral zone boundaries that were established following the Suez Crisis in 1956. On October 6th 1973, a military coalition that included Egypt and Syria violated neutral boundaries and attacked Israel in a surprise operation. Within weeks, the United Nations would order a ceasefire and call on the establishment of the force due to the success of previous peacekeeping efforts. Canada’s participation was noted as being of great importance, with historians stating that, “considerable diplomatic effort was undertaken to ensure that a Canadian contingent would be a part of the Second United Nations Emergency Force.” Canada would contribute 1 097 troops within the first four months, the most of any nation. The force would be responsible for the prevention of further violence, withdrawal of troops, creation of a buffer zone between the conflicting nations, and the establishment of a peace treaty. The force performed all of the tasks effectively and successfully. Canada played an important role in the mission as well as in its conclusion, where they effectively took charge in the force’s withdrawal from the region. The success of the force only further established Canada’s reputation as a peacekeeping nation, demonstrating its ability to assist in regional conflicts in addition to international crises.’