Sudan’s TASIS-led administration has called for a United Nations investigation into alleged Egyptian airstrikes on gold-mining sites in eastern Sudan.
The administration says the reported attacks killed and injured civilian miners in Red Sea State on October 10.
Prime Minister Mohamed Hassan al-Taishi has requested international action, including an independent investigation and possible involvement by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
According to reports carried by Sudanese media, the TASIS administration addressed its appeal to senior United Nations bodies and officials following reports of civilian casualties in Sudan’s Red Sea State.
However, allegations that Egyptian aircraft carried out the strikes have not been independently verified.
TASIS calls for UN investigation into alleged Egyptian strikes
Al-Taishi submitted an appeal to the UN secretary-general, Security Council, Human Rights Council and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
The appeal calls for an immediate end to any Egyptian military operations inside Sudanese territory.
It also requests an independent investigation into the reported attacks.
Furthermore, the TASIS administration wants international investigators to identify those responsible for planning and carrying out the alleged strikes.
Al-Taishi accused Egyptian aircraft and drones of targeting artisanal gold-mining sites at Jabal al-Uqaydat, near Al-Ansari market in Red Sea State.
He also alleged that forces loyal to Sudanese military chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan coordinated with Egyptian military personnel.
Neither allegation has been independently confirmed.
Sudan gold miners reportedly killed and injured
The reported incident has raised concerns about the safety of civilian miners working in eastern Sudan.
According to accounts of the TASIS appeal, dozens of miners were killed, injured or reported missing.
More than 30 injured workers were reportedly transported to Al-Ansari for emergency medical treatment.
Meanwhile, hundreds of miners reportedly fled into nearby mountains.
The administration reportedly said some displaced workers faced shortages of drinking water, food and medical supplies.
Many of the affected miners reportedly came from Darfur and Kordofan.
They depended on small-scale gold mining to support themselves and their families.
However, independent organisations have reported different casualty figures.
The Emergency Lawyers rights group reported 72 deaths.
Separately, the Sudan Doctors Network initially documented at least 13 deaths and 28 injuries.
These figures have not been independently reconciled.
TASIS requests possible ICC action
The TASIS administration has asked international bodies to examine whether the reported attacks violated international law.
Al-Taishi argued that the alleged strikes could constitute war crimes or crimes against humanity.
However, such legal classifications would require a detailed investigation and assessment of the evidence.
According to published accounts, the appeal asks investigators to examine satellite images, flight records, military orders and ammunition remnants.
These materials could help establish what happened and identify any parties responsible.
In addition, Al-Taishi reportedly urged the UN Security Council to consider referring the matter to the ICC under Article 13(b) of the Rome Statute.
He also requested consideration of measures under Article 41 of the UN Charter.
The administration reportedly offered to cooperate with independent investigators and help facilitate access to witnesses and affected locations.
Egypt comments on operations against illegal mining
Egypt’s military has acknowledged conducting operations against illegal gold mining within Egyptian territory.
In a statement on Monday, it said those activities included distributing warning leaflets.
However, the statement did not directly address allegations that Egyptian aircraft had struck miners inside Sudan.
Therefore, Egypt’s reported operations within its own territory should not be treated as confirmation of the alleged cross-border attacks.
Meanwhile, Sudanese military chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan ordered a separate investigation into the incident.
The investigation will involve judicial, prosecutorial and security representatives.
Its stated purpose is to establish the circumstances surrounding the reported deaths.
No findings from that investigation were included in the available reporting.
Humanitarian concerns grow after reported strikes
The alleged attacks have also raised concerns about the humanitarian situation facing displaced miners.
According to reports citing the TASIS administration, some workers fled their mining sites without sufficient supplies.
The administration has requested urgent assistance for affected communities.
It also called for compensation for victims’ families.
The appeal follows allegations of similar attacks against Sudanese miners in June.
However, the circumstances and responsibility for those earlier incidents also require independent verification.
For communities that depend on traditional gold mining, insecurity can threaten both personal safety and household income.
Humanitarian assistance and reliable information remain important for affected families.
International response remains uncertain
The TASIS administration says it wants an independent process to establish responsibility for the reported attacks.
However, there has been no independently confirmed UN response to its latest appeal.
It also remains unclear whether the Security Council will consider the requested ICC referral.
The separate investigation ordered by Burhan could provide additional information about the incident.
For now, conflicting casualty figures and unverified allegations make an impartial investigation particularly important.
Establishing the facts could help clarify responsibility, support affected families and prevent further harm to civilians.
The protection of civilian lives remains central to concerns surrounding the reported strikes.