Egypt's Army Responds to Accusations of Border Airstrikes on Sudanese Gold Mine

The Egyptian Armed Forces have issued a statement addressing accusations that they were responsible for an airstrike on an artisanal gold mining site near the Egypt-Sudan border. The incident, which reportedly occurred in the Jebel al-Aqaidat area on Saturday, has led to conflicting reports regarding casualties. The statement from the Egyptian military did not explicitly confirm or deny conducting airstrikes within Sudanese territory, nor did it specify the locations of any operations. Instead, it emphasized that the ongoing campaign targets illegal gold mining activities exclusively within Egyptian borders.

Egyptian law enforcement, including military and civil police, are continuing this campaign. This action follows the distribution of warning leaflets to individuals described as "criminal elements." The stated aim is to assert sovereignty over Egyptian territory and safeguard national assets and natural resources. The statement also highlighted the strong political and popular ties between Egypt and Sudan, noting the presence of millions of Sudanese citizens living peacefully in Egypt.

The Egyptian army urged the public in the Nile Valley to rely on official sources for information and to disregard rumors or what it termed "foreign agendas" designed to damage the fraternal relationship between the two nations. While Sudanese human rights and political groups have accused Egyptian aircraft of carrying out the raids, the identity of the responsible party remains unverified by independent sources. There are significant discrepancies in casualty figures, with the Sudan Doctors Network reporting 13 miners killed and 28 injured, and warning of a potential rise in the death toll due to severe injuries and difficulties in reaching the wounded. Conversely, the Sudanese Emergency Lawyers group has reported a death toll of 72.

Egyptian authorities had previously warned miners to vacate the area, which the Associated Press described as a border zone. However, Sudanese groups maintain that the raids took place within Sudanese territory. The Egyptian army's broader campaign against illicit gold mining began earlier this year. On June 22, the Armed Forces, in coordination with the Interior Ministry, launched operations in the Southern Military Zone targeting criminal hotspots involved in illegal gold mining, drug and weapons trafficking, and irregular migration. At that time, the army reported the arrest of 223 individuals, including 87 Egyptians and 136 foreign nationals, along with the seizure of various assets. The campaign was described as a threat to national security, economic stability, and efforts to protect mineral resources.

The second phase of this campaign, involving intensified sweeping and raid operations in identified illicit mining areas, was announced by the Egyptian military spokesperson on August 2. These operations are being conducted in coordination with relevant state agencies.