Egyptian military announces fourth phase of crackdown on illegal gold mining

Egypt's armed forces spokesman announced the results of the campaign against illegal gold mining in the Eastern Desert, including the start of its fourth phase.

• Colonel Ahmed Atman Ali announced the fourth phase of the campaign will begin next Saturday.
• He said 151 Egyptians and 540 foreigners were detained during the operation.
• He reported the seizure of 34 weapons and 6,307 rounds of ammunition.
• He said illegal gold mining pollutes soil and water and affects livestock and agriculture.
• Atman Ali said all operations take place within Egyptian borders and that the military coordinates with Sudan to secure the frontiers.
• He said the armed forces carried out preventive strikes to cut off arms and ammunition supplies reaching criminals across the border.
• He stressed that the military did not target civilians and aims to impose state authority over all Egyptian territory.