Has Sudan’s War Reached Egypt? Massacre at Gold Mines, Threats Attributed to Hemedti… And Where Does the UAE Fit Into the Picture?
What is happening along the Egyptian-Sudanese border is far more dangerous than a simple dispute over gold mining. Deadly airstrikes, struggles over resources and sovereignty, and smuggling networks are intersecting with Sudan’s ongoing war and the interests of regional powers.
On October 10, gold mining sites near Jabal al-Uqaydat, along the Egyptian-Sudanese border, were targeted by airstrikes. The Emergency Lawyers organization accused Egyptian forces of carrying out the attacks and reported that at least 72 Sudanese workers were killed. However, neither the identity of the aircraft nor the final death toll has been independently verified.
As for Hemedti’s threat to attack airports, there is an important revelation: the video circulating as a new response to Egypt actually dates back to a speech he delivered on October 21, 2025, rather than the events of this week, according to a fact-check by CNN Arabic. Therefore, it cannot be considered a new declaration of war against Egypt.
Why Is the Egyptian Military Targeting Gold Miners?
On October 12, the Egyptian Armed Forces announced the continuation of the third phase of their campaign against illegal mining, emphasizing that the operation aims to protect national sovereignty and natural resources.
Journalistic investigations, however, point to additional motives involving control over gold mines and the protection of mining concessions.
Nevertheless, Cairo has not publicly presented evidence proving that the workers targeted were members of Hemedti’s forces.
And Where Does the UAE Enter This Equation?
This is where broader economic and military interests come into play:
▪️ The Chatham House research institute revealed that approximately 97% of Sudan’s official gold exports in 2024 went to the UAE, and that gold networks linked to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) rely on smuggling routes that ultimately lead to markets in the Emirates.
▪️ In May 2025, Amnesty International documented the presence of advanced Chinese weapons in the possession of the RSF, concluding that they had most likely reached the group through the UAE. Abu Dhabi, however, denies providing military support to these forces.
But Is Abu Dhabi Behind the Latest Incident?
There is no credible evidence establishing that the UAE ordered the escalation.
However, it is understood that the victims were working on behalf of the Rapid Support Forces.
Nevertheless, gold miners cannot simply be turned into military targets because they operate within an economy where smuggling networks and armed conflict overlap.
Are We Witnessing the Emergence of a New War Front?
So far, there has been no officially declared direct military confrontation between Egypt and the Rapid Support Forces resulting from this incident.
Sudan has launched an investigation, while official communications have taken place between Cairo and Khartoum in an effort to contain the tensions.
The Bottom Line: Sudanese gold is no longer merely a natural resource. It has become a source of war financing and an instrument of regional influence.
The danger is that the struggle over mines, borders, and smuggling routes could escalate into a broader confrontation, with Sudanese civilians once again paying the heaviest price.
The question that demands investigation is this: Who benefits from the continued flow of Sudanese gold into foreign markets while Sudan burns? And why are the parties financing and arming the warring factions not being held accountable?