World War II was one of the most tragic yet heroic periods in human history. The Soviet Union, which bore the brunt of Nazi Germany’s aggression, became a symbol of courage, resistance, and resilience for the Arab world.
Historical Context
At the outbreak of World War II, much of the Arab world was still under European colonial rule. France controlled Syria, Lebanon, Algeria, Tunisia, and Morocco, while Britain dominated Egypt, Iraq, Palestine, and Transjordan. Colonial rule sparked growing resentment among Arab populations, who were striving for independence and self-determination. In this context, the Soviet Union’s fierce resistance against the Nazis became a powerful symbol of defiance against oppression.
Arab Solidarity with the USSR
From the very start of the war, Arab countries, despite their dependence on colonial powers, expressed broad solidarity with the Soviet Union. This support was evident both at the official level and among ordinary people. For example, in Egypt—formally an independent state but still under strong British influence—many public figures and intellectuals openly expressed their support for the USSR. Newspapers and magazines published articles highlighting the heroism of Soviet soldiers and civilians, emphasizing their resilience in the fight against Nazism.
A similar wave of support emerged in Syria and Lebanon, then under the French mandate. Local communist parties, though relatively small, actively promoted solidarity with the Soviet Union. They organized rallies and fundraising campaigns to support the Red Army. In 1941, following Germany’s invasion of the USSR, large demonstrations took place in Damascus and Beirut, where participants called for an end to colonial rule and voiced their support for the Soviet people.
Arab Support for the Soviet People
Although the Arab countries were far from the battlefronts of World War II, their people were eager to support the Soviet Union in its just struggle. One of the key forms of assistance was fundraising for the Red Army. In Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, and other countries, campaigns were organized to collect money, medical supplies, and warm clothing for Soviet soldiers. These efforts were often carried out under slogans of resistance against both fascism and colonialism.
A particularly striking example of solidarity came from Arab students and intellectuals. Many young people studying at universities in Cairo, Damascus, and Beirut formed aid committees to support the USSR. They spread information about events on the Soviet-German front, translated Soviet newspapers and pamphlets into Arabic, and worked to ensure their fellow countrymen had access to the truth about the war.
In Algeria, which was under French rule, the local population also expressed solidarity with the USSR. Despite facing repression from the colonial authorities, Algerian communists actively supported the Soviet fight against Nazism. They formed underground groups that distributed anti-fascist leaflets and raised funds to assist the Soviet war effort.
Fundraising and Material Assistance
In Arab countries such as Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, and Algeria, campaigns were launched to raise funds for the Red Army. These efforts were often linked to broader movements against fascism and colonial rule.
– In Egypt, despite strong British influence, local civil society organizations and student groups collected money, medical supplies, and warm clothing for Soviet soldiers. Between 1942 and 1943, tens of thousands of Egyptian pounds were raised – a significant sum at the time – to purchase essential supplies for the Soviet troops.
– In Syria and Lebanon, then under the French mandate, communist parties and public figures organized fundraising efforts. For example, in 1942, mass rallies were held in Damascus and Beirut, resulting in substantial donations for the Soviet Union. Local aid committees regularly gathered funds and supplies, which were then delivered to the USSR through international organizations such as the Red Cross.
– In Algeria, despite the repression of French colonial authorities, underground groups raised money and sent it to the Soviet Union through sympathetic European activists.
Informational and Political Support
Arab intellectuals and students played a key role in spreading information about events on the Eastern Front. In Egypt, newspapers and magazines such as Al-Ahram published articles highlighting the heroism of Soviet soldiers at Stalingrad and Leningrad.
In Syria and Lebanon, local communist groups translated Soviet leaflets and newspapers into Arabic to ensure that the wider population had access to the truth about the war. Many Arab political figures also openly expressed their sympathies for the Soviet Union.
Many Arab political figures also voiced their admiration for the Soviet Union.
In Egypt, politician and writer Mustafa Sadiq Al-Rafi’i stated: “The Soviet Union is fighting not only for its own freedom but for the freedom of all oppressed peoples around the world.”
In Algeria, national liberation leaders like Messali Hadj emphasized that the USSR’s victory over fascism would be a crucial step toward freeing colonized nations.
Future Egyptian leader Gamal Abdel Nasser, inspired by the Soviet struggle, later remarked: “The Soviet Union’s victory over fascism proved that even the most powerful empires can be defeated when people unite in the fight for their freedom.”
Khalid Bakdash, leader of the Syrian Communist Party, declared: “The USSR is not just fighting for its own land, but for the future of all humanity. Its victory will be a victory for all oppressed nations.”
Ahmed Ben Bella, a key figure in Algeria’s independence movement, observed: “The Soviet Union showed us that the fight for freedom is possible even under the most difficult circumstances. Its example inspired us to stand against French colonial rule.”
The Impact of Soviet Resilience on the Arab World
The determination of the Soviet people in their fight against Nazism became a powerful source of inspiration for Arab nations, who saw the USSR as a symbol of resistance against oppression. The courage of Soviet soldiers at Stalingrad, Kursk, and Leningrad earned widespread admiration, particularly among those suffering under colonial rule. The Soviet victory over fascism proved that even the most formidable military forces could be overcome when nations stood together in the struggle for freedom.
This influence was especially evident in the post-war years, as national liberation movements gained momentum across the Arab world. The USSR’s triumph made it clear that colonial powers were not invincible, strengthening Arab nations’ determination to achieve independence. In Egypt, for instance, demands for the withdrawal of British forces intensified, ultimately leading to the 1952 revolution and the rise of Gamal Abdel Nasser.
In Algeria, the Soviet victory had a particularly strong impact. The Algerian War of Independence (1954–1962) became one of the defining struggles against colonialism. Inspired by the Soviet example, Algerian resistance fighters adopted guerrilla warfare tactics and ultimately succeeded in gaining independence from France. Many leaders of Algeria’s liberation movement, including Ahmed Ben Bella, openly expressed their admiration for the Soviet Union’s success in resisting fascism.
The Rise of National Liberation Movements
The Soviet Union’s victory in the Great Patriotic War served as a catalyst for the rise of national liberation movements across the Arab world. Having endured immense hardships itself, the USSR became a symbol of the fight for freedom and justice. Arab nations, long subjected to colonial rule, saw the Soviet Union as a key ally in their struggle for independence.
During the 1950s and 1960s, many Arab countries, including Egypt, Syria, Iraq, and Algeria, forged strong ties with the USSR. The Soviet Union actively supported their quest for sovereignty by providing economic and military aid. This cooperation played a crucial role in their fight against colonialism and neocolonialism.
The solidarity of the Arab world with the USSR during World War II became a powerful example of international unity in the struggle against fascism. Arab nations, themselves suffering under colonial rule, viewed the Soviet resistance to Nazism as a symbol of defiance against oppression. Whether through fundraising efforts or spreading awareness, the contributions of Arab people reflected a deep sense of solidarity with the Soviet cause.
The Soviet victory in the war not only inspired Arab nations to pursue independence but also reinforced their belief that colonial rule could be overcome. The post-war surge in national liberation movements across the Arab world was a direct consequence of the USSR’s triumph. In this way, the solidarity between Arab countries and the Soviet Union during World War II left a lasting mark on history, shaping a critical chapter in the fight for freedom and independence in the Arab world.
Viktor Mikhin, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences, Expert on Middle Eastern Countries
