A Sudanese rights group reported that at least 72 workers were killed in airstrikes on a gold mine on the Sudan-Egypt border on Saturday. The Emergency Lawyers organisation accused Egypt's air force of carrying out the attack. The incident occurred in the mountainous region of Jabal al-Uqaydat, where many informal gold mining sites are located.
This is not the first attack on the region this year. In June, airstrikes, reportedly by Egypt, killed 23 workers at the same site. The Egyptian army did not claim responsibility for the strikes but said it had conducted a "large-scale operation" against illegal gold mining within its borders. The border between Sudan and Egypt is disputed, with both countries claiming the resource-rich Halayeb triangle.
The attack on Saturday resulted in a significant loss of life, with 72 civilian miners killed, according to preliminary information. Efforts to document and verify the casualty toll are ongoing. Two survivors described their harrowing escape from the mine, with one miner, Abdelaziz Youssef, saying a jet appeared overhead at around 8:00 am on Saturday and "struck five times, many people were killed".
The gold mining industry in the region has grown significantly since the conflict began in April 2023, which has killed over 200,000 people and created a deep humanitarian crisis. Many people have been pushed into the dangerous industry, which fuels both sides' war efforts. The rugged mountainous area, home to bountiful mineral deposits, stretches for hundreds of kilometres and includes the disputed Halayeb triangle.
The Emergency Lawyers said the attack occurred within Sudanese territory. The organisation believes that the repeated attacks on the gold- and mineral-rich border regions reflect a desire by Egyptian authorities to expand and assert control over Sudan's natural resources. Egypt considers the war at its border a major threat to its security.
The Egyptian army in June said it carried out its operation "within Egyptian territory". It said 223 people were detained, including 136 foreign nationals, and announced a campaign to counter "illegal gold mining and arms smuggling" in the area. The porous border has for years been a thriving conduit for gold, illicit trade, and human trafficking.
The conflict in Sudan has had a devastating impact on the region, with many people forced to flee their homes and seek refuge elsewhere. The gold mining industry has become a vital source of income for many, but it is also a dangerous and often deadly pursuit. The international community has called for an investigation into the airstrikes and for those responsible to be held accountable.
Key points
- At least 72 workers killed in airstrikes on gold mine on Sudan-Egypt border
- Egyptian air force accused of carrying out the attack
- The incident is part of a larger conflict over Sudan's natural resources
