United Nations Emergency Force II (UNEF II) - BUGLE

International Operation Name: United Nations Emergency Force II

International Operation Dates:  1979/10/25 October 1973 – 1979/07/24

Mandating Organization: United Nations

Region Name:  Middle East

Location:  Egypt

Canadian Operation Name: Operation BUGLE

Canadian Operation Dates: 1979/08/10 – 1979/12/24

Mission Mandate: The United Nations Emergency Force II was created through the United Nations Security Council Resolution 340, on 25 October 1973. UNEF II was to supervise the implementation of the cease-fire and observe a return by the two forces to the positions they held as of 1650 hours, 22 October 1973.

Mission Notes:

On 6 October 1973, the Yom Kippur War started when Egypt and Syria, in a coordinated attack supported by troops of other Arab nations, attacked Israel. After initial setbacks, Israel was able to regain lost ground. Along the Egyptian border, Israel initially suffered major setbacks; however, after a brilliant pincer movement, Israeli forces threatened to surround the entire Egyptian Third Army on the west bank of the Suez Canal. Diplomatic activity was intense during the conflict, with the possibility of a showdown between the United States and the Soviet Union. Egypt and Israel accepted a cease-fire along their border on 26 October.

At the United Nations, the Security Council had made repeated calls for a cease-fire. On 25 October the Security Council again called for a cease-fire and authorized the UN Secretary-General to create a new United Nations Emergency Force (UNEF II).

The Camp David Accords were signed on 17 September 1978 followed by the signing of the Middle East Peace Treaty in March 1979. Although UNEF II’s mandate was not extended beyond 24 July 1979 some personnel remained in the region for a further five months to close down the mission.

Canadian Operation

When the UNEF II mandate was allowed to lapse, the Canadians played the primary role in closing out the mission. Between 24 July and 31 October, the contingent collected UNEF II materiel from the buffer zone and other operations areas. This was then prepared for return to Canada, storage, redistribution to other UN missions or disposal in Egypt. The name for this operation was Operation BUGLE. By 1 November, all Canadian personnel had departed, except a small rear party. These personnel remained until 19 December and were back in Canada on the 21st. Twenty-seven positions were transferred to UNDOF as part of the Canadian contingent administrative unit.