Egypt's president Nasser nationalized the Franco-British Suez Canal in 1956. Britain and France formed a secret alliance with Israel. The Israeli Defense Forces invaded the Sinai and advanced towards the Suez Canal. British and French forces intervened claiming to restore and secure peace. British and French paratroopers and Royal Marines relatively quickly brought the canal zone under their control. Eventually, the allied forces had to withdraw after being threatened by the United States and the Soviet Union.
