On 13 June 1956, the last British troops departed from the Suez Canal Zone in Egypt, marking a significant moment in post-colonial history and the end of a 74-year British military presence in the region.
This withdrawal was the culmination of the 1954 Anglo-Egyptian Agreement, which responded to growing nationalist pressure within Egypt and the broader decolonisation movement sweeping across Africa and Asia.
The evacuation of British forces was a triumphant moment for Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser, who had fervently championed for the removal of foreign troops, viewing it as a vital step toward full national sovereignty.
This event also signaled a shift in the geopolitical landscape, as Egypt gained greater control over the strategically critical Suez Canal, a vital maritime route linking the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea, which had immense economic and military significance.
