PORT SUDAN — Sudanese authorities have deployed military reinforcements to the gold-mining area of Al-Rataj in Red Sea State near the Egyptian border, following rising tensions between local tribal groups that have sparked fears of violence.
The decision was taken during an emergency meeting of the Red Sea State Security Committee chaired by Governor Major General Mustafa Mohamed Nour in Port Sudan, according to an official statement.
Officials said troops were sent to Al-Rataj, in Halaib locality, to restore order, remove illegal activities, and arrest individuals involved in recent disturbances. The deployment aims to reinforce state authority and prevent the situation from escalating.
Tensions have been mounting between members of the Bishariyn and Rashaida communities amid disputes linked to the area, which has gained economic importance because of its gold-mining operations and its location along a route frequently used for cross-border smuggling.
The unrest intensified after calls by some groups to expel the Rashaida community from Al-Rataj, describing them as outsiders. Rashaida representatives rejected the characterization, arguing that the area belongs to the state and that no single group has the right to determine who may reside there.
The troop deployment comes as Sudan continues to face multiple security challenges amid its broader conflict, while authorities seek to prevent tribal disputes from opening a new source of instability in the strategically important Red Sea region.
