Egyptian army says it dismantled cross-border arms smuggling network

On August 11, 2026, the Egyptian army announced it dismantled a cross-border organized crime network smuggling weapons and ammunition through Egypt's southern frontier. Following intelligence reports, military forces intercepted two smuggling operations in the desert west of Aswan province, seizing 24 firearms, 49,211 rounds of ammunition, a pickup truck, and foreign identity documents. The network reportedly aimed to distribute weapons inside Egypt and supply criminal groups involved in illegal gold mining.

Cross-border arms smuggling operation

• ▪The Egyptian military intercepted two arms-smuggling operations in the desert west of Aswan province, seizing 24 firearms, 49,211 rounds of ammunition, a pickup truck, and identity documents of foreign nationals.
• ▪The Egyptian army dismantled a cross-border organized crime network involved in smuggling and trafficking weapons and ammunition through Egypt's southern frontier, as announced on August 11, 2026.

Illegal gold mining criminal networks

• ▪The Egyptian military is continuing efforts to track down remaining members of the smuggling network that was supplying illegal gold mining criminal groups.
• ▪Egyptian military intelligence indicated that the smuggling network was preparing to distribute weapons inside Egypt and supply criminal groups involved in illegal gold mining.

Southern border security enforcement

• ▪The Egyptian military stated that the border operation was part of ongoing efforts to tighten security along Egypt's borders and combat national security threats.
• ▪Egyptian military spokesman Brig. Gen. Gharib Abdel Hafez stated that the operation against the smuggling network was launched following intelligence reports.

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