At Least 72 Sudanese Miners Killed in Reported Air Strike

An air raid in a mountainous gold mining region near the border of Sudan and Egypt has left at least 72 people dead, according to a report by the Khartoum-based rights group, Emergency Lawyers. The organization, which tracks human rights violations amid the ongoing conflict in Sudan, stated that the attack occurred on Saturday in the northern Wadi area. They explicitly accused the Egyptian military of conducting the strike, claiming the operation took place within Sudanese territory.This incident marks the second reported strike in the Jabal al-Uqaydat region this year. A similar operation in June resulted in the deaths of 23 workers. At that time, the Egyptian military stated they were conducting a large-scale campaign against illegal mining and arms smuggling, asserting that their actions were confined to Egyptian territory. The region is part of a broader disputed zone, including the resource-rich Halaib Triangle, where both nations maintain competing claims.The reported attack has not been independently verified, and Egyptian authorities have yet to issue an official response regarding the latest allegations. Emergency Lawyers suggested the strike reflects an effort by Egyptian forces to assert control over the mineral-rich borderlands. Images circulated by local groups and on social media following the incident appeared to depict numerous casualties amidst rubble, though these visuals remain unverified.The mountainous border region has become increasingly significant as Sudan’s internal conflict, which began in April 2023, continues to devastate the nation. The war between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces has caused a massive humanitarian crisis, forcing many civilians into the dangerous gold mining sector to survive. This industry is also reported to fuel the war efforts of both warring factions. The border area remains a volatile zone known for illicit trade, human trafficking, and extensive gold deposits, with Egypt maintaining a strong security focus on the 1,200km boundary to mitigate regional threats.