Egyptian Army: Chief of Staff of Southern Border Guard and Battalion Operations Commander Martyred - Sarmad
The Egyptian Army announces the martyrdom of two officers during operations against illegal gold mining in Sinai.
Translated by Qiyas from سرمد — Original source
Egyptian Army military spokesperson, Colonel Ahmed Atman, announced the martyrdom of Lieutenant Colonel Ahmed Samir, chief of staff of the border guard in the southern zone, as well as the martyrdom of Colonel Ahmed Gouda, head of operations of a border guard battalion operating within the southern military zone, during illegal gold prospecting.
The military spokesperson said that the armed forces held numerous sessions with tribal sheikhs and elders in areas where criminal elements engaged in illegal gold prospecting are present.
During a press conference on Thursday evening, he expressed gratitude and appreciation for their efforts and their support for the armed forces and law enforcement personnel in carrying out their duties to confront this illegal phenomenon, emphasizing that “their role is no less than the national role played by our people in Sinai during the fight against terrorism and extremist ideology.”
He added that the armed forces issued warning messages before the start of any phase to inform and raise awareness among those present that they are in areas within Egyptian borders and that their activities are illegal.
He noted that the armed forces produced and broadcast a specialized awareness series on social media platforms about random prospecting and gold smugglers, titled “Southern Shield,” consisting of six episodes, in addition to issuing and publishing statements at various stages of the operations.
He clarified that the military movement aimed to create a suitable climate for all investments operating in the mining sector, whether foreign, local, or even private mining companies.
He stressed that “the presence of armed elements in those areas threatened workers in the mining sector, prompting them to abandon work at those sites, which led to the flight of capital and investments within the Egyptian state.”
He confirmed that one of the reasons for launching the large-scale campaign was to reaffirm the imposition of Egyptian sovereignty over all its territory.
