Libya's permanent representative to the Arab League, Ambassador Abdelmotaleb Thabet, has expressed his country's solidarity with Egypt in protecting its borders and sovereignty. He strongly condemned an armed attack on Egyptian border guards in the southern region, which resulted in the deaths of two officers. The incident has highlighted the security challenges facing border regions and the illicit activities associated with gold prospecting, arms smuggling, and resource trafficking.
Ambassador Thabet extended his deepest condolences to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, the Egyptian government and people, and the Egyptian armed forces, as well as the families of the two slain officers. Libya's stance comes as Egypt faces security developments in its desert regions near the Sudanese border. Thabet emphasized that Egypt's security and stability are integral to the security and stability of the Arab nation.
The attack occurred during Egyptian military operations aimed at combating illegal gold prospecting in the Eastern Desert, near the southern border with Sudan. Egyptian military spokesperson announced that the two officers killed were Colonel Ahmed Samir, chief of staff of the southern border guard, and Major Ahmed Gودة, head of operations of one of the border guard battalions. The operations involved clashes with armed groups, resulting in the officers' deaths.
According to the Egyptian military spokesperson, the operations have resulted in the arrest of 691 individuals, including 151 Egyptians and 540 foreigners, and the confiscation of 34 weapons, 6307 ammunition rounds, 317 vehicles, and 19 motorcycles. The military also seized 916 engineering equipment, 73 metal detectors, and 433 generators. These efforts aim to enhance control over Egyptian territory, protect natural resources, and counter illegal activities threatening national security.
The Egyptian military launched a campaign in June 2026 to combat illegal gold prospecting in the Eastern Desert, conducting three phases between June and October. The campaign targeted areas west of Marsa Alam and Jebel Ikat, Wadi Dبور, and Al-Baramiya. A fourth phase is set to begin, focusing on securing the desert region and preventing a resurgence of illegal activities.
The security situation along the Egypt-Sudan border has gained significance due to increased activity in illicit gold prospecting and smuggling networks. The region has seen an upsurge in such activities, partly due to the economic and security instability caused by the Sudanese conflict that began in April 2023. Libya's expression of solidarity with Egypt underscores the importance of Arab coordination in addressing cross-border security challenges.
The incident has also sparked a response from Sudan, with efforts to form a committee to investigate the killing of Sudanese workers in prospecting areas near the Egyptian border. Egypt and Sudan have emphasized the importance of preserving bilateral relations and coordinating on border security. Libya's stance reaffirms its support for Egypt in the face of security threats and highlights the interconnectedness of Arab security.
Key points
- Libya condemns armed attack on Egyptian border guards, killing two officers.
- Egypt conducts military operations to combat illegal gold prospecting in Eastern Desert.
- Libya expresses solidarity with Egypt in protecting borders and sovereignty.
