In brief
In a brutal assault on Saturday, aircraft targeted gold‑mining camps in Sudan's River Nile state, killing at least 72 unarmed civilians according to the Emergency Lawyers advocacy group. The strike, part of a broader crackdown on illegal mining, may constitute a war crime under international law. Neither the Egyptian government nor Sudan’s de‑facto authorities have reacted publicly, while Sudan has launched an investigation into the attack. The incident underscores the broader conflict over illicit gold that fuels smuggling and fuels insurgent groups.
At least 72 civilians were killed when aircraft targeted gold‑mining camps on the Sudan‑Egypt border, a regional rights group says.
Emergency Lawyers, based in Khartoum, reported that jets struck camps in Sudan’s River Nile state on Saturday, leaving many unarmed miners dead inside excavation sites.
The attack began around 06:00 local time, with aircraft firing more than five missiles directly at the camps, destroying tents and pits still occupied by people.
Neither the Egyptian government nor Sudan’s de‑facto authorities have issued official comment, but the Incident has sparked fresh fears over the lack of security control in the region.
Emergency Lawyers warned that targeting civilians violates international humanitarian law and could amount to war crimes.
Egypt has previously been accused of striking gold prospectors along its southern border in a drive to curb illegal mining, drug smuggling and unauthorized migration.
The surge in artisanal mining in Sudan’s conflict zones, where people mine gold without permits, has raised concerns that the illicit trade fuels insurgent groups and undermines legitimate markets.
Sudan’s de‑facto leader has announced an investigation into the strike, while Egypt’s border agency says it’s conducting a sweeping security campaign along the frontiers.
The tragic deaths highlight a growing flashpoint as both governments seek to stamp out illegal gold mining that fuels tensions and conflict in the region.
