<P> The Iraqi divisions were a strategic surprise for the IDF, which had expected 24 - hour - plus advance intelligence of such moves . This turned into an operational surprise, as the Iraqis attacked the exposed southern flank of the advancing Israeli armor, forcing its advance units to retreat a few kilometres in order to prevent encirclement . Combined Syrian, Iraqi and Jordanian counterattacks prevented any further Israeli gains . However, they were unable to push the Israelis back from the Bashan salient, and suffered heavy losses in their engagements with the Israelis . The most effective attack took place on October 20, though Arab forces lost 120 tanks in that engagement . </P> <P> The Syrian Air Force attacked Israeli columns, but its operations were highly limited because of Israeli air superiority, and it suffered heavy losses in dogfights with Israeli jets . On October 23, a large air battle took place near Damascus during which the Israelis shot down 10 Syrian aircraft . The Syrians claimed a similar toll against Israel . The IDF also destroyed the Syrian missile defense system . The Israeli Air Force utilized its air superiority to attack strategic targets throughout Syria, including important power plants, petrol supplies, bridges and main roads . The strikes weakened the Syrian war effort, disrupted Soviet efforts to airlift military equipment into Syria, and disrupted normal life inside the country . </P> <P> On October 22, the Golani Brigade and Sayeret Matkal commandos recaptured the outpost on Mount Hermon, after a hard - fought battle that involved hand - to - hand combat and Syrian sniper attacks . An unsuccessful attack two weeks prior had cost the Israelis 23 dead and 55 wounded and the Syrians 29 dead and 11 wounded, while this second attack cost Israel an additional 55 dead and 79 wounded . An unknown number of Syrians were also killed and some were taken prisoner . An IDF D9 bulldozer supported by infantry forced its way to the peak . An Israeli paratroop force, landing by helicopter took the corresponding Syrian Hermon outposts on the mountain, killing more than a dozen Syrians while losing one dead and four wounded . Seven Syrian MiGs and two Syrian helicopters carrying reinforcements were shot down as they attempted to intercede . </P> <P> The Syrians prepared for a massive counteroffensive to drive Israeli forces out of Syria, scheduled for October 23 . A total of five Syrian divisions were to take part, alongside the Iraqi and Jordanian expeditionary forces . The Soviets had replaced most of the losses Syria's tank forces had suffered during the first weeks of the war . </P>

Who helped bring an end to the yom