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| Egyptian Armed Forces |
The Egyptian Armed Forces published video testimonies from a number of personnel following the extensive security campaign carried out in the southern region to thwart illegal gold mining and smuggling operations.
The first episode of the "Southern Shield" series revealed the behind-the-scenes details of the forces' success in cutting off supply lines to the elements involved in illegal gold mining, and the legal and humanitarian measures taken against those who surrendered.
This was announced by the military spokesman for the armed forces, Colonel Ahmed Atman, who stressed that all those who surrendered were dealt with in full legal terms and in accordance with international standards and conventions, in a way that ensures the imposition of security and stability while preserving the rights of individuals.
The video showed testimonies from a number of surrendered individuals, including Sudanese elements, who confirmed that they received humane treatment after their surrender. They also appealed to the rest of those inside the illegal mining areas to hasten their surrender.
One of the Sudanese men called on his colleagues who were inside the illegal mining sites to quickly surrender themselves, stressing that they received good humane treatment after their surrender, saying: “The Egyptian government fed us and gave us drink, and no one hit us or violated our rights.”
Another source indicated that the main problem within the mining areas was the presence of armed elements who were preventing miners from leaving the sites, appealing to those inside those areas to come out and surrender themselves to the Egyptian Armed Forces.
These developments come in the wake of the extensive security campaign recently announced by the Egyptian Armed Forces in the southern region, which targeted dens and gangs involved in illegal gold mining, as well as armed elements involved in securing these illegal activities near the border areas.
The armed forces confirmed in their statement regarding the campaign that the operation resulted in imposing full control over a number of areas, cutting off supply routes, and seizing quantities of equipment used in illegal mining operations.
The armed forces confirmed that they have taken the necessary legal measures against those involved, within the framework of the state’s efforts to protect mineral resources, secure borders, and confront illegal activities that pose a threat to national security.
The armed forces stressed the continuation of their security operations in the southern region, in coordination with various state agencies, to pursue outlaw elements and prevent the exploitation of border areas in any illegal activities, while fully adhering to the law and respecting human rights during the implementation of all security measures.
