War of Attrition in the Bashan Salient
[1] The Syrians, having lost strategic outposts on Mount Hermon in the Yom Kippur War and with their capital threatened, refused to accept the presence of Israeli troops on their soil.
According to Syrian Foreign Minister Abdel Halim Khaddam, Syria's constant artillery attacks were "part of a deliberate war of attrition designed to paralyze the Israeli economy", and were intended to pressure Israel into yielding the occupied territory.
Due to harsh winter weather and logistical difficulties, the Israeli army removed the permanent garrison on Hermon Summit's outpost, relying on occasional patrols to secure the asset.
On April 16, 1974, the Israeli Engineering Corps completed a paved road to the summit, even while suffering heavy Syrian artillery bombardment, with a D-9 tractor becoming the first mechanized vehicle to ever reach the peak.
Israeli forces returned to the pre-war Purple Line, which remained the de facto border between the countries, except for minor changes such as Israel's handing the abandoned city of Quneitra to the Syrians.
A buffer zone was created on the Syrian side of the border held by UNDOF, a UN peace-keeping force, with Syria retaining the civil administration.
Israeli soldiers who served in the Bashan Salient for a period of at least 18 continuous days received the Yom Kippur War medal and ribbon.
Head of Northern Command Yitzhak Hofi is pointing at the map, while IDF Chief of Staff David Elazar is leaning on the map with both hands
