Air strikes targeting civilian gold miners in northern Sudan have reportedly killed at least 72 workers, according to the rights group Emergency Lawyers. This incident underscores the increasing instability in the region as the conflict in Sudan extends across its borders with Egypt. The rights group accused the Egyptian military of conducting air strikes in the North Wadi area of Jabal al-Uqaydat, a mountainous border region. Images shared by rights monitors depicted chaotic scenes at the site, with bodies wrapped in funeral shrouds.
The border area between Sudan and Egypt has a history of tensions, with the 22nd parallel north designated as the boundary by the British and Egyptian governments in 1899. However, the lack of physical demarcation and the area's gold resources have led to disputes and lawlessness. Abdul Kareem Al-Almin Ahmed, an expert on Egypt-Sudan border affairs, noted the historical negligence regarding Sudanese territorial borders and called for the Sudanese state to address the issue at the United Nations.
In June, another gold mining site in the Jabal al-Uqaydat region was targeted, resulting in casualties. The Egyptian military stated that its operations were conducted within Egyptian territory and reported detaining 223 individuals. Egyptian security forces have been active in the border region to address illegal migration, drug smuggling, and unregulated mining.
The two countries have a longstanding history of border tensions, particularly concerning the Halaib Triangle, a disputed area rich in resources. The conflict in Sudan, which began in April 2023, has intensified, with the Sudanese Armed Forces allegedly receiving support from Egypt against the Rapid Support Forces.
The ongoing civil war has devastated Sudan's economy, pushing many into hazardous gold mining practices. Despite the conflict's impact, there is no evidence that the revenue from gold mining in the border region benefits either side of the war. Osama Ahmed Eidrous, a professor of strategic and security studies, emphasized that the miners pose no threat to Egypt and are not involved in the conflict, describing them as Sudanese citizens attacked by Egyptian forces.
This incident marks a continuation of violence affecting civilians in the region amid the broader context of instability and conflict in Sudan.