In response to the nationalization of the Suez Canal by Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser, British and French forces launched an offensive operation against Egypt. Under the pretense of ensuring free passage through the canal and maintaining peace, a week-long bombing campaign set the stage for a military invasion. On November 5, paratroopers from Britain and France landed at key locations, including the canal zone, aiming to secure the area for Western interests. This operation, part of a larger plan called 'Operation Musketeer', sought to regain control over the canal after it had been seized by Nasser in July 1956, which had significant economic implications for countries reliant on its passage for trade and oil supplies. The crisis drew sharp reactions from the Soviet Union and the United States, drastically reshaping the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East.

The military action was characterized by its rapid execution and the initial successes of the paratroopers, who managed to capture critical positions with relatively little resistance. However, the intervention was met with an immediate backlash from the international community, as both the United States and the Soviet Union opposed the invasion, leading to immense diplomatic pressure for the withdrawal of British and French forces. The crisis ultimately forced the two nations to reconsider their colonial ambitions and strategies in the region, marking a pivotal moment in post-World War II geopolitics and the decline of European imperial power.