KHARTOUM, Sudan (HornPost) Sudan’s military-led government has ordered an investigation into an airstrike that struck artisanal gold-mining sites near the Egyptian border on October 10, killing dozens of Sudanese miners, according to local rights groups and medical organizations.
The death toll remains disputed. The Sudan Doctors Network initially reported at least 13 deaths and 28 injuries, while the Sudanese rights group Emergency Lawyers later said at least 72 people had been killed. A report published by The Guardian on October 18 cited Emergency Lawyers’ estimate of 114 deaths.
The figures could not be independently reconciled, and the final number of casualties remains unclear.
The attack took place in a remote, mountainous area where informal gold mining has become an important source of income for Sudanese workers struggling with the economic devastation caused by the country’s war.
Responsibility for the Attack Remains Unconfirmed
Emergency Lawyers accused Egyptian military aircraft of targeting civilian miners in the North Wadi area near the border. However, the identity of the aircraft responsible has not been independently established.
Sudan Tribune reported that at least five airstrikes hit mining camps near the Al-Uqaydat mine on October 10, citing a local miner. The newspaper said it could not independently verify the casualty figures or identify the aircraft involved.
Egypt’s military did not explicitly acknowledge carrying out the specific strike. In a statement issued on October 12, it said Egyptian forces were continuing a large-scale campaign against illegal gold prospecting in the country’s eastern desert and had dropped warning leaflets.
The statement did not confirm that Egyptian aircraft had carried out the attack reported by Sudanese organizations.
Sudanese Authorities Launch Probe
Sudan’s military leader, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, ordered a fact-finding committee on October 12 to investigate the incident and establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
According to Sudan Tribune, the committee was to include representatives from the public prosecution, judiciary and security agencies.
Sudan’s Sovereign Council said authorities in Sudan and Egypt had been in contact following the incident, with the stated aim of protecting lives, safeguarding bilateral relations and making the findings public.
The investigation is expected to be important in determining the location of the attack, the identity of those responsible and the circumstances in which the miners were killed.
Border Disputes and Illegal Mining
The attack occurred in a sensitive frontier region where gold deposits, informal mining and unclear territorial boundaries have contributed to recurring tensions.
Sudan and Egypt have longstanding disagreements over parts of their border, including the Halaib Triangle. The precise location of the mining site and the competing claims over the surrounding territory are important to establishing the circumstances of the incident.
Egypt has previously conducted security operations against what it describes as illegal gold prospecting and smuggling along its southern frontier. In June, Egyptian security forces detained hundreds of people, including foreign nationals, in operations targeting alleged illegal mining and smuggling.
The latest incident has renewed questions about border enforcement and the safety of miners working in remote areas.
A Vulnerable Workforce
Sudan’s artisanal gold sector supports millions of people and has become increasingly important as the war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces continues to damage the economy.
For many workers, informal mining provides one of the few available sources of income. Remote sites, limited medical services and insecurity can leave miners especially vulnerable when violence occurs.
The reported airstrike has intensified calls for an investigation and accountability for civilian deaths. However, the full circumstances of the attack, the final casualty toll and responsibility for the strike remain unresolved.
The findings of Sudan’s investigation could help establish what happened and whether further action is required to protect civilians working in the border region.
Prepared by:
HornPost staff
