1973 Arab-Israel war: Syria awards medal of bravery to PAF veteran

ISLAMABAD: The Syrian embassy in Islamabad has conferred the Syrian Medal of Bravery upon Pakistan Air Force (PAF) veteran air commodore (retired) Sattar Alvi for his distinguished service during the 1973 Arab-Israel war, as announced by the PAF on Sunday.

During October 1973, a coalition of Arab states initiated an unexpected assault on Israel to reclaim territories lost to Israel in the 1967 Arab-Israel war.

In the swift six-day conflict of 1967, Israel seized Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, a significant portion of Syria’s Golan Heights, and the West Bank territories previously administered by Jordan since 1948. The 1973 war was a chapter in the ongoing Arab-Israeli conflict, marked by numerous confrontations and hostilities since Israel’s establishment in 1948.

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On April 26, 1973, Flight Lieutenant Alvi, then a young pilot, successfully downed an Israeli Mirage aircraft while piloting a Syrian Air Force MiG-21 fighter jet amidst the ongoing conflict, according to Arab News.

“The thirty-second air combat of Flight-Lt. Sattar Alvi showcased the bravery and skill of Pakistani pilots in defending Syrian airspace,” stated the PAF in a released statement. “The incident underscored the significance of rapid response, strategic acumen, and aerial proficiency, while the results of the air battle exemplified the valor and commitment of Pakistani pilots in safeguarding the sovereignty of a friendly nation and ensuring the wellbeing of its citizens.”

On behalf of the Syrian Arab Air Force and under the directives of the Syrian government, Syria’s Ambassador Dr Ramez Alraee presented Alvi with the Medal of Bravery alongside a Certificate of Commemoration, according to PAF.

“The recognition extended by the Syrian government is a moment of genuine pride for the entire Pakistani nation and serves as an enduring wellspring of motivation for the generations to follow,” added the PAF.