The Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi attended early Monday celebrations of the 42nd anniversary of the 1973 Arab-Israeli war.

The 6 October anniversary commemorates Egypt’s political victories in the conflict and the reclamation of the Sinai peninsula.

The Tunisian president, who is currently on his first official visit to Egypt since El-Sisi was sworn in last year, is among the attendees of the celebration that is taking place at the military academy in Cairo.

Also among the attendees is the wife of late president Mohamed Anwar El-Sadat, who led the 1973 war to regain the Sinai peninsula, which was occupied by Israeli forces at the time.

Sadat later participated in US-sponsored talks with Israel that ended with a peace treaty in September 1978. 

Today’s celebrations feature an aerial show by Egypt’s air force along with other military displays.

Also in attendance at the celebration are former interim president Adly Mansour, former commander-in-chief Hussein Tantawi, and many other state officials.

The sixth of October is an annual public holiday for all sectors, schools, and universities. It usually witnesses celebrations by Egyptians in public squares.