Egyptian military aircraft kill 72 gold miners near Sudan border

Egyptian military aircraft have reportedly killed at least 72 gold miners in a series of airstrikes targeting artisanal mining camps along the border between Sudan and Egypt. According to the Emergency Lawyers rights organization and local monitoring groups, the strikes occurred at a popular mining site in the River Nile state. The incident marks a significant escalation in the violent struggle for control over mineral resources in the disputed frontier region between the two nations.

Survivors and eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos as multiple missiles were fired into the miners' camps during the early morning hours. Reports indicate that the attack involved Egyptian military jets, with some accounts also alleging the use of drones and violent dispersal tactics in previous similar operations. This incident represents the second major strike on this specific mining location within the last year, highlighting the persistent danger faced by civilians prospecting for gold amidst the regional instability.

The Sudanese Doctors Network has provided even higher casualty estimates, suggesting the death toll could reach 200 with over 120 others injured. The network attributed the violence to efforts aimed at dismantling illegal mining operations that have flourished during Sudan's ongoing internal conflict. The border region has become a major flashpoint as various groups seek to exploit mineral wealth to fund their activities during the country's three-and-a-half-year civil war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

International rights groups have warned that these targeted strikes on civilian workers may constitute war crimes under international humanitarian law. The violence occurs against the backdrop of a massive humanitarian crisis in Sudan, which has already seen more than 11 million people displaced. The continued targeting of resource-rich border areas further complicates efforts to achieve regional stability and protect vulnerable populations caught in the crossfire of the resource conflict.