72 Miners Killed in Sudan’s Gold Mine Attack
Seventy-two miners died in a suspected aerial strike on a gold mine in northern Sudan, according to Acil Durum Avukatları, a local human rights group. The attack occurred near the Egypt-Sudan border, with Sudan Doktorlar Ağı also reporting casualties but not specifying the number. The discrepancy highlights the challenges in verifying details amid ongoing conflict in the region.
Claims of Egyptian Airstrikes and Denials
Haber7 reported that the Egyptian Air Force conducted the strike, citing Acil Durum Avukatları’s statement. However, neither Egypt’s Ministry of Defense nor its Foreign Ministry has confirmed or denied the allegations. The Sudanese government, meanwhile, accused the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of using drones in the attack, according to SANA. The conflicting claims highlight the lack of clarity surrounding the incident.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
SANA cited a local official who stated that 26 women and four children were among the dead, while the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) estimated up to 40 civilian casualties. The UN has condemned the strike, calling it a violation of international humanitarian law.
Source 3 reports that the attack targeted a camp for displaced people near the Etiyopya border, where 26 women and four children were among the 30 killed. Sudan’s Wad El-Mahi Governor, Mahcub El-Şeyh, confirmed the casualties, stating the strike occurred in an area where irregular gold mining was taking place. The Sudanese government condemned the attack, calling it a war crime and urging the UN Security Council, African Union, and other bodies to demand accountability.
Gold as a Strategic Resource
Gold has become a critical revenue source for both the Sudanese military and the RSF amid the war. Uzmanlar, or experts, note that illicit mining operations in border areas channel significant gold to Egypt.
Source 1 states that gold is the primary cash crop for both the Sudanese military and RSF, with much of the extracted gold smuggled to Egypt. The Sudanese government has accused RSF of using drones in the strike, while Egypt has not commented on the allegations.
International Response and Calls for Accountability
Source 3 reveals that the Sudanese government has called on the UN Security Council, African Union, and international organizations to take urgent action to halt attacks on civilians and ensure accountability for perpetrators. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has also condemned the attack, noting that the region has seen repeated strikes since April 2023.
Previous Attacks and Escalating Violence
The region has seen repeated strikes since April 2023, when clashes between the Sudanese military and RSF began. OCHA reported that over 100,000 people were displaced in Mavī Nīl State alone this year.
FAQ
Who is accused of carrying out the strike?
Haber7 attributed the attack to the Egyptian Air Force, while SANA and Sudan’s government blamed the RSF. No group has officially claimed responsibility, and Egyptian authorities have not commented.
Source 1 notes that some sources claim the attack was carried out on the Egyptian side of the border, with Mısırlı yetkililer (Egyptian officials) issuing warnings about the area. However, the Egyptian Air Force and Foreign Ministry have not responded to the allegations.
Why is gold a key issue in Sudan?
Gold is a major cash crop for both the Sudanese military and RSF, with much of the extracted gold smuggled to Egypt.
Source 2 explains that the region’s gold is frequently transported to Egypt through illicit channels, with experts noting that the resource is critical for both the Sudanese military and RSF. The attack on the gold mine highlights how conflict and smuggling intersect in the region.
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