Egyptian army officers killed in anti-illegal gold mining operation near Sudan border
Two Egyptian army officers, including a senior border guard, were killed during a military operation targeting illegal gold mining along Egypt’s southern border with Sudan, according to Colonel Gharib Abdel-Hafez, the official spokesperson for the Egyptian Armed Forces, in a statement on Thursday. The campaign, which began in the Eastern Desert in June, has resulted in the detention of 151 Egyptians and 540 foreign nationals, according to figures released by the Egyptian Armed Forces. The military stated that the fourth phase of the operation will begin on Saturday, aiming to strengthen state control and protect national resources. The rights group Emergency Lawyers has alleged civilian casualties in related airstrikes near the border, claims not addressed by Egyptian authorities. Sudanese officials have not publicly commented on the incident, while independent verification of the reported airstrike and casualties has not been possible. Coordination between Egyptian and Sudanese armed forces continues to secure the border region, according to statements from both governments.
