On This Day March 8, 1957, Egypt regained full control over the Suez Canal following the withdrawal of Israeli, British and French forces after the Suez Crisis. The crisis had erupted in July 1956 when Egypt’s President Gamal Abdel Nasser nationalized the vital maritime canal linking the Mediterranean and Red Seas.
In response, Israel, Britain and France launched a joint military invasion and temporarily occupied parts of the canal zone to regain control of the strategic waterway. However, they were forced to withdraw under intense pressure from the United States and United Nations to end the occupation.
With the departure of foreign troops in early March, Egypt reasserted its sovereignty over the Suez Canal area. However, the canal itself remained blocked by wreckage and obstructions from the military operations for over a month more. It was not until April 24th that Egypt was finally able to clear the canal and reopen it to international maritime traffic, allowing shipping to resume through this crucial global chokepoint.
