Egyptian Army: Fourth Phase of Campaign Against Illegal Gold Mining Launched in Coordination with Sudan

Cairo – Sudanhorizon
The Egyptian Armed Forces have announced the launch of the fourth phase of a campaign to combat illegal gold mining in the Eastern Desert, set to begin this coming Saturday, in coordination with Sudan.
In a press conference held on Thursday evening, the official spokesperson for the Egyptian Armed Forces, Colonel Ahmed Othman Ali, confirmed that coordination with the Sudanese state regarding the security of Egypt’s southern borders remains ongoing.
He explained that this coordination is part of joint efforts to sever illegal supply lines that previously reached criminal elements via border crossings. He emphasized that all operations are conducted entirely within Egyptian territory and without affecting any civilian targets.
The military spokesperson noted that previous phases of the operation resulted in the martyrdom of Colonel Ahmed Samir, Chief of Staff of the Southern Border Guard, and Lieutenant Colonel Ahmed Gouda, Chief of Operations for a Border Guard battalion in the Southern Military Region. They were killed during clashes with armed elements that attempted to confront law enforcement forces as they raided criminal hideouts in the vicinity of Mount “Iqat.”
He further stated that the campaign—which began last June and was carried out in three phases concluding on October 29—resulted in the apprehension of 151 Egyptian nationals and 540 foreign nationals. Additionally, authorities seized 34 various weapons and 6,307 rounds of ammunition, dismantled 4,488 tents and makeshift shelters, and confiscated hundreds of vehicles, engineering equipment, and satellite communication devices. The military spokesperson announced that the fourth phase of the campaign will begin next Saturday, involving intensified patrols by border guards and operational units to prevent criminal elements from returning to areas of illegal excavation. He emphasized the armed forces’ commitment to exercising maximum restraint and adhering to the provisions of international law. He further stated that the campaign’s objective is to assert state sovereignty over all its territory, protect the wealth of the Egyptian people, and safeguard the rights of future generations, in accordance with Article 200 of the Constitution.

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