On October 6, 1981, Egyptian President Anwar Sadat was assassinated during a military parade in Cairo, an event that shocked the world and marked a turning point in Middle Eastern history. The killing of Anwar Sadat was not just the death of a leader it was the result of deep political and ideological divisions within Egypt and the broader Arab world. To understand who killed Anwar Sadat, it is necessary to look closely at the individuals involved, their motivations, and the historical context that led to that tragic day.
Background of Anwar Sadat
Mohamed Anwar el-Sadat became the President of Egypt in 1970, following the death of his predecessor, Gamal Abdel Nasser. Unlike Nasser, who was a staunch Arab nationalist and socialist, Sadat took a more pragmatic approach to leadership. He sought to modernize Egypt’s economy, reduce Soviet influence, and strengthen ties with the West, particularly the United States. His boldest and most controversial act came in 1979, when he signed the Camp David Accords with Israel, making Egypt the first Arab country to formally recognize the State of Israel.
While the peace treaty earned him international acclaim and even the Nobel Peace Prize, it deeply angered many in the Arab world. For many Egyptians, especially within the military and Islamist movements, the agreement was seen as a betrayal of the Arab cause and the Palestinian struggle. This opposition would later play a direct role in the assassination plot that ended Sadat’s life.
The Political Climate in Egypt Before the Assassination
By the late 1970s, Egypt was facing growing internal unrest. Sadat’s economic reforms, known as the Infitah or Open Door Policy, aimed to attract foreign investment but also widened the gap between rich and poor. At the same time, his crackdown on political opposition, including leftists and Islamists, created an atmosphere of tension and resentment. Islamic fundamentalist groups, particularly those inspired by the Muslim Brotherhood and radical offshoots, viewed Sadat’s government as corrupt and un-Islamic.
One of these groups was al-Jihad, also known as the Egyptian Islamic Jihad. This militant organization believed that Sadat’s peace with Israel and his Western alliances were acts of betrayal against Islam. Among its members were soldiers and officers within the Egyptian army who secretly plotted to overthrow the government and establish an Islamic state.
The Assassination of Anwar Sadat
On October 6, 1981, Egypt was celebrating its annual Armed Forces Day, marking the anniversary of the 1973 Yom Kippur War known in Egypt as the October War against Israel. A grand military parade was held in Cairo, attended by top officials, foreign dignitaries, and media representatives. President Sadat, dressed in full military uniform, sat proudly in the presidential viewing stand, smiling and saluting the passing troops.
At approximately 1240 p.m., a military truck stopped in front of the reviewing stand. Suddenly, several men jumped out of the vehicle, armed with automatic weapons and grenades. They ran toward the stands, firing at Sadat and the officials seated beside him. Chaos erupted as gunfire and explosions filled the air. Within moments, President Sadat was hit by multiple bullets and mortally wounded.
The attack lasted less than two minutes, but its impact was immense. Sadat was rushed to a nearby hospital, but he was pronounced dead shortly afterward. Eleven others, including diplomats and soldiers, were also killed, while more than two dozen people were injured. The world was stunned as news of the Egyptian president’s assassination spread.
The Men Behind the Attack
The assassination of Anwar Sadat was carried out by members of the Egyptian Islamic Jihad, a radical militant group seeking to replace Egypt’s secular government with an Islamic one. The leader of the operation was Lieutenant Khalid Islambouli, a 24-year-old army officer. He and his fellow conspirators Lieutenant Abdel Hamid Abdel Salam, Sergeant Hussein Abbas, and Corporal Atta Tayel were all members of the Egyptian military.
Islambouli and his team infiltrated the parade by disguising themselves as part of a unit scheduled to participate in the event. When the moment came, they used their military training to execute the attack swiftly and effectively. Witnesses reported that as he fired his weapon, Islambouli shouted, I have killed Pharaoh! a reference to Sadat, whom the militants viewed as a modern-day tyrant oppressing his people and betraying Islam.
The Motives Behind the Killing
The assassination of Anwar Sadat was driven by both religious and political motives. To the assassins, Sadat represented everything they opposed secular governance, peace with Israel, and close relations with the United States. His efforts to modernize Egypt and suppress Islamic political groups were seen as direct challenges to their vision of an Islamic state.
Among the factors that fueled their anger were
- The 1979 peace treaty between Egypt and Israel, which many Arabs saw as a betrayal.
- Sadat’s crackdown on Islamic activists and mass arrests of political opponents in September 1981.
- His promotion of Western cultural values and lifestyle in Egyptian society.
- His close relationship with U.S. President Jimmy Carter and other Western leaders.
To the assassins, these actions made Sadat an enemy of Islam. Their goal was not only to eliminate him but also to spark a wider revolution that would replace Egypt’s government with a theocratic regime. However, their hopes of igniting a larger uprising quickly failed when the Egyptian government responded with overwhelming force.
The Aftermath of the Assassination
Following the killing of Anwar Sadat, Egypt entered a period of shock and mourning. Vice President Hosni Mubarak, who was sitting next to Sadat during the parade and was slightly injured in the attack, immediately assumed power. Within days, the government declared a state of emergency, and hundreds of suspected militants and political dissidents were arrested.
The assassins were captured and put on trial before a military court. Khalid Islambouli and several of his accomplices were found guilty and executed by firing squad in April 1982. Despite their deaths, the ideology that motivated them continued to influence extremist groups in Egypt and beyond for years to come.
Global Reaction
The assassination of Anwar Sadat drew widespread condemnation from around the world. Leaders from the United States, Europe, and the Middle East expressed deep sorrow and concern for Egypt’s stability. Sadat had been seen as a symbol of peace and courage for his role in the Camp David Accords, and his death raised fears that the fragile peace between Egypt and Israel might collapse.
However, under Mubarak’s leadership, Egypt continued to honor the peace treaty with Israel, maintaining the framework that Sadat had established. While tensions remained, the region avoided the large-scale war that many had feared would follow the assassination.
Legacy of Anwar Sadat and His Assassins
Today, Anwar Sadat is remembered as one of the most complex and controversial leaders in modern Middle Eastern history. To some, he was a visionary peacemaker who took bold steps to end decades of conflict. To others, he was a traitor who compromised Arab unity and Islamic principles. His assassination reflected the deep divisions within Egyptian society between progress and tradition, secularism and religion, peace and resistance.
The men who killed him, led by Khalid Islambouli, became both condemned terrorists and, to a small fringe of extremists, misguided martyrs. Their act, however, failed to achieve the revolution they sought. Instead, it strengthened the Egyptian state’s resolve to crack down on radicalism and preserve stability at all costs.
So, who killed Anwar Sadat? The direct answer is that he was assassinated by Lieutenant Khalid Islambouli and members of the Egyptian Islamic Jihad, motivated by religious extremism and opposition to Sadat’s peace with Israel. But the deeper answer lies in the complex mix of politics, ideology, and historical tensions that shaped Egypt in the late 20th century. The assassination of Anwar Sadat remains a powerful reminder of how the pursuit of peace can come with great personal risk and how the choices of one leader can change the course of history forever.