Two Egyptian border guard officers were killed during a military operation targeting illegal gold mining along Egypt's southern border with Sudan, the Egyptian Armed Forces said on Thursday, as authorities vowed to press ahead with a nationwide campaign against armed groups involved in the illicit trade.

Military spokesperson Colonel Ahmed Atman said the officers were killed during an exchange of fire with armed groups supporting illegal gold mining activities in the southern border region.

"The Chief of Staff of the Southern Border Guard and the Operations Chief of a Border Guard battalion were martyred while confronting illegal gold-mining gangs," Atman said.

Military vows to continue anti-illegal mining operations

Atman said the military campaign against illegal gold mining began in June in Egypt's Eastern Desert and has already completed three phases, with a fourth phase scheduled to begin shortly.

He stressed that the operations are aimed at strengthening state control over Egypt's territory, protecting national resources and dismantling criminal networks engaged in illegal mining and weapons trafficking.

According to the military, recent operations resulted in the seizure of 34 weapons and more than 6,300 rounds of ammunition of various calibres. Authorities have also detained 151 Egyptians and 540 foreign nationals since the campaign was launched.

Border security remains a key concern

The military said operations against illegal gold mining are being conducted exclusively on Egyptian territory and do not target civilians.

Atman noted that the armed forces are coordinating with other state institutions to tighten security, eliminate illegal mining activities and safeguard the country's natural resources for future generations. He added that Egypt and Sudan continue to exchange information and coordinate efforts to strengthen security along their shared border.

Illegal gold mining has expanded significantly in areas near the Egypt-Sudan border since the outbreak of Sudan's civil war, with gold becoming an increasingly important source of income for armed groups and smuggling networks operating across the porous frontier.(ILKHA)