There is increasing speculation regarding the extent of the organizational affiliation between the Muslim Brotherhood and the “Al-Baraa bin Malik” battalion. This battalion is actively engaged in combat alongside the Sudanese army against the Rapid Support Forces. This speculation arises primarily due to indications suggesting potential links between the two entities. These encompass both the historical origins of the battalion’s establishment and the association of some of its leaders with Islamist symbols. The participation of the battalion in the initial confrontations in Sudan is significant due to its official affiliation with the reserve forces of the Ministry of Defense. This affiliation implies that there was an approval, albeit unannounced, for their involvement.
Furthermore, the battalion has the advantage of enhancing its armed capabilities and capitalizing on the unstable conditions to mobilize the youth, thereby bolstering its influence and the influence of the Brotherhood organization supporting it.
The Brotherhood has played a multifaceted role in the armed confrontations between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces. From the initial days of the confrontations in April, the Brotherhood has aligned itself with the army and extended support through political and media channels.
The Brotherhood has played a multifaceted role in the armed confrontations between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces. From the initial days of the confrontations in April, the Brotherhood has aligned itself with the army and extended support through political and media channels.
The establishment of the “Al-Baraa bin Malik” battalion and its links with the Brotherhood in Sudan is based on the following:
1- The affiliation of the institution with Islamic militant factions: The battalion named “Al-Baraa bin Malik” is primarily associated with the “People’s Defense Forces” in Sudan, an officially established entity in 1989. This coalition comprised Islamic armed groups and actively engaged in combat alongside the Sudanese military across various regions, including Southern Kordofan, Blue Nile, and South Sudan.
In 2020, the Sudanese army made an official announcement regarding the dissolution of the “Popular Defense” and its subsequent reformation as reserve forces under the direct affiliation of the Ministry of Defense, rather than the General Staff. This decision, as stated by the Ministry of Defense, resulted in the disruption of the previously active groups within the “Popular Defense” from the time of its dissolution until the occurrence of confrontations between the Sudanese Army and the Rapid Support Forces. It was during this period that the emergence of the battalion, fighting alongside the first party, took place.
2- The presence of connections with the Brotherhood organization: While there is no conclusive evidence of an organizational affiliation between the “Al-Baraa bin Malik” battalion and the Brotherhood organization in Sudan, the origins of the battalion’s formation can be traced back to the “People’s Defense Forces”, which encompassed various Islamist movements, including the Brotherhood organization. It is plausible that there exist associations between these two entities.
Certain media reports suggest a connection between this battalion and the Muslim Brotherhood organization, particularly about their involvement in confrontations. Additionally, there have been references made by some leaders of the organization to the existence of armed brigades known as “Shadow Brigades.” Notably, in 2018, the former Secretary-General of the Islamic Movement, Ali Othman Muhammad Taha, made statements alluding to this.
Furthermore, certain reports have established a connection between the deceased individual, Muhammad al-Fadl Abdel Wahid Othman, who was a member of the battalion engaged in the confrontations with the Rapid Support Forces, and the former Sudanese Foreign Minister, Mustafa Othman Ismail. These reports suggest that Muhammad al-Fadl is the nephew of Mustafa Othman Ismail.
3- The most notable figures within the battalion are “Muhammad al-Fadl,” who was previously mentioned as being killed, and the leader of the battalion, “Anas Omar,” who has been apprehended by the Rapid Support Forces. In light of these developments and the lack of information regarding the battalion’s structure, “Al-Misbah Abu Zaid Talha Ibrahim” has emerged as the preeminent leader of the battalion.
Al-Misbah sustained injuries during the clashes with the Rapid Support Forces. However, after receiving medical treatment, he resumed his command of the battalion. The “Reserve Administration – Special Forces” page reported on October 3, 2023, that Al-Misbah Abu Zaid Talha, the commander of the Al-Baraa bin Malik Battalion, has successfully returned to his duty. Following a medical trip to Atbara, he made his way back to Omdurman.
The determination of the combat role of the “Al-Baraa bin Malik” battalion can be established based on the battalion’s demonstrated involvement and alignment with the Sudanese army in opposition to the Rapid Support Forces. Taking into account the available information regarding the battalion, its nature of engagement can be characterized as follows:
1- The alignment of the “Al-Baraa bin Malik” battalion with the Sudanese army in the confrontations against the Rapid Support Forces indicates that the decision to activate the battalion’s operations was made by the leaders of the Ministry of Defense. This battalion operates as part of the Ministry’s reserve forces.
The current situation in Sudan, with the Rapid Support Forces making advancements in the capital city of Khartoum and attempting to breach the command headquarters, including the presence of key figures such as Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, head of the Sovereign Council, and army commanders, prompts inquiries into the extent of the Sudanese army’s alliance with the Islamist movement, particularly the Muslim Brotherhood organization. This is particularly significant considering the battalion’s affiliation with the movement, as evidenced by its historical origins and past associations with the former Sudanese regime.
The battalion’s engagement in the conflict does not stem from voluntary actions and is not independent of the Ministry of Defense’s jurisdiction. On the contrary, it seems that the battalion’s participation in the combat operations has received an official, yet undisclosed, endorsement.
2- The battalion has actively engaged in military operations in collaboration with the army against the Rapid Support Forces since the initial stages of the violent confrontations between the two factions. This is evident from video footage featuring battalion members within a Sudanese army-affiliated military headquarters, armed and expressing their commitment to fight alongside the army. These actions have been documented on the “Reserve Forces” page on the social media platform Facebook.
One of the notable observations pertains to a video clip dated April 15, 2023, titled “God is Great… The Mujahideen Brigade of the Al-Baraa bin Malik Battalion, Special Forces Administration… receives armament now.” This video signifies the transfer of weaponry by the battalion members within a military facility, marking the commencement of their operational involvement. Specifically, their operations are directed towards combatting the Rapid Support Forces, a conflict that has persisted since the initial confrontations.
3- The Dominance of Affection: An Individual Reflection on the Nature of Armed Capabilities
Several video clips from the “Al-Baraa Bin Malik” Battalion shed light on the prevailing presence of personal armament within armed capabilities. These armaments primarily consist of light or medium weapons. However, certain publications on the “Reserve Administration – Special Forces” platform suggest that reserve forces possess advanced weaponry, including high-quality drones.
There is no evidence suggesting that the “Al-Baraa” battalion has acquired these particular weapons. However, considering the battalion’s affiliation with the reserve forces and their reported possession of Sudanese-manufactured weapons, it is not implausible. Moreover, given the prevailing turmoil and instability in Sudan, it is conceivable that this battalion might exploit the situation to procure arms from foreign sources, provided they have the means and financial support from the Brotherhood organization.
4- The implementation of youth mobilization operations is currently underway. This is evident through the mobilization of reserve forces, including the “Al-Baraa” battalion, by official decisions. It is plausible that this battalion is conducting a mobilization operation specifically targeting young individuals affiliated with the Islamist movement, encouraging them to join either the battalion itself or the reserve forces in general. This is particularly significant as it provides an opportunity for recruits to become part of these forces.
The Reserve Forces page on the popular social networking site “Facebook” has been actively promoting this mobilization effort. Several images depict young men participating in training camps, where they are trained in the handling of weapons. These activities are presented as a response to the mobilization initiative initiated by the Sudanese leadership, specifically, the Ministry of Defense led by Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, who serves as the President of the Sovereign Council.
The Muslim Brotherhood’s Expanding influence
The involvement of the “Al-Baraa bin Malik” battalion in the operational theater, opposing the Rapid Support Forces, irrespective of the extent of its organizational ties with the Brotherhood organization, underscores its predominantly Islamist composition. Consequently, this battalion may represent an endeavor to augment the influence of the Brotherhood in Sudan. It aims to achieve this by attracting sympathizers within the Sudanese army, thereby potentially facilitating their reentry into the political arena once the confrontations have concluded. However, the realization of this objective hinges upon the perpetuation of the existing army leadership.