Airstrikes on Sudan-Egypt Border Gold Mine Kill 72 Workers

KHARTOUM: At least 72 workers were killed in airstrikes targeting a gold mine on the Sudan-Egypt border, according to a Sudanese rights group on Sunday. Survivors recounted scenes of chaos following the attack, which occurred on Saturday.

The Emergency Lawyers rights organization has accused the Egyptian air force of executing the strikes, marking the second such incident this year at the informal mining site of Jabal al-Uqaydat. In June, airstrikes, reportedly by Egypt, resulted in the deaths of 23 workers at the same location.

While the Egyptian army has not claimed responsibility for the recent strikes, it previously stated that it was conducting a “large-scale operation” against illegal gold mining activities within its borders. The border area is contentious, with both Sudan and Egypt asserting claims over the resource-rich Halayeb triangle. Notably, Cairo remains a key ally of Sudan’s military, which is currently engaged in conflict with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.

The rights group has condemned the attack as a violation of Sudan’s sovereignty, while Cairo maintains that its military operations are confined to its territory. Investigations into the incident are expected to unfold, as the international community watches closely for further developments in this volatile region.