Al-Bara' Ibn Malik Battalion

The Al-Bara' ibn Malik Battalion (), also spelled as El-Baraa Ibn Malik or Abaraa Iban Malik, is a Sudanese Islamist militia that emerged within the complex network of militias and armed factions in Sudan, operating within the Sudanese Popular Resistance movement. The militia is linked to the Popular Defence Forces, a paramilitary group that was active during Bashir regime era, and currently known as the 'Shadow Battalions' (). It has been active in supporting the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) in their ongoing battles against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). It also has ties with the Islamic State.

History

Origin

The battalion, Al-Bara' ibn Malik, is named after a famous Muslim combatant during the early Muslim conquests.

The Al-Bara bin Malik Battalion and similar militant groups have significantly bolstered the Sudanese army's ranks. Their involvement with the army traces back to the 1990s when they were part of the Popular Defence Forces (PDF), a paramilitary group closely linked to the Hassan al-Turabi's National Islamic Front (later the National Congress Party) and Omar al-Bashir. The army was 'Islamised' in the early 1990s under al-Bashir's rule, with suspected opponents often removed or executed.

The PDF, which fought against the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) in the second Sudanese civil war, has been operating covertly since Bashir's removal until the war in Sudan broke out on 15 April 2023. Since then, the PDF joined the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) side in its fight against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Creation and role in the Sudanese civil war (2023–present)

The Al-Bara' ibn Malik Battalion and the broader Islamic movement have been preparing their fighters since 2019 and have connections with some officers in Sudan's military intelligence. The group has been actively fighting alongside the SAF in their ongoing battles against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since the war started on 15 April 2023, suffering many casualties in various locations. One of the deadliest battles for the Al-Bara bin Malik fighters occurred inside and around the military Armoured Corps in Khartoum. According to Daraj, Al-Bara' ibn Malik Battalion has representation in at least two military divisions, namely the Armoured Corps and the Infantry Corps. They also have a presence in a third location, the Central Reserve Forces, which have been sanctioned by the United States due to their involvement in quelling peaceful demonstrations.

The battalion has made appearances in numerous video clips, depicting its active participation in these battles. The group, led by Almusbah Abuzaid, promotes a militant Islamist ideology. Abuzaid, who was injured in the fighting in Khartoum, was visited by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, Commander-in-Chief of the SAF, at a hospital in Atbara. Videos on social media show Abuzaid chanting militant slogans and advocating for a "jihad" against the RSF. Another leader, Anas Omer, was a notable member of the now-disbanded National Congress Party (NCP) under President al-Bashir, and was taken into custody by the RSF on 16 May 2023. Muhammad al-Fadl Abd al-Wahed Othman, another leader, previously has sworn loyalty to Islamic State, and he was killed in action June 2023.

On 11 July 2024, Hudheifa Adam, the commander of its southern sector covering Sennar and Blue Nile states, was killed in action in Mairuno, south of Sennar city, along with Gusay Bushra, its commander in Sennar state.

In July 2024, the commander of the battalion Almusbah Abuzaid was arrested by Saudi authorities. He was later released.

Reception

At the meeting of the United Nations General Assembly, the commander of RSF, Hemedti, alleged that the army was being assisted in their fight by the Islamic State (IS) and supporters of the al-Bashir regime. In a development in May 2023, the RSF detained a number of individuals, among them Mohamed Ali Al-Jazouli, a well-known supporter of IS, who had previously pledged to fight the RSF.

On 29 March, SAF commander Shams al-Din Khabbashi stressed that groups like Al-Bara' ibn Malik Battalion "need to be better controlled." On 2 April 2024, 15 people were killed and more than 50 were injured after a drone attack in Atbara that struck an iftar gathering organised by the Al-Bara Islamic militia. The RSF is yet to claim responsibility of the attack that happened away from its nearest camp. Mustafa Tambour, leader of the Sudan Liberation Movement (Tambour) which is allied with the SAF, insinuated the SAF involvement in the attack as he stated that "In no way can our internal disagreements lead us to events like these that took place today in the city of Atbara, in which a number of heroes were killed. They could have been an addition to the armed forces and not an opponent to them."

Other groups

The 'Al-Bunyan Al-Marsous' () battalion, a large former unit of the disbanded Popular Defense Forces, is now fighting with the Sudanese army. This battalion includes ex-members of the National Intelligence and Security Service from the Bashir regime era. The battalion has undergone advanced weapons training and is currently deployed in several capital cities.

Other groups, such as the 'Popular Security' group and the youth group ' Angry Without Borders', have also joined the army forces. The latter, known for its resistance against the military junta, has members in various army units and camps.

According to Al Jazeera Arabic, preparations are underway to announce a new battalion, 'Al-Matmoura' (), in Al Qadarif State, Gedaref state, along with other groups in different localities. These groups are being trained and armed under the supervision of local government authorities and military leadership.

Several cities in the north are witnessing the formation of popular resistance groups. The Khartoum State government recently announced the start of the Supreme Committee for Popular Resistance’s activities and opened recruitment and arming in army-controlled areas. However, an anonymous army officer stated that these groups are mainly responsible for securing neighbourhoods and sites, and not for combat operations. Contrarily, a member of the popular resistance confirmed his participation in combat operations.

Former armed forces officer, Fathi Ahmed, criticised the current popular resistance as a failure due to its ethnic and regional basis, inadequate training, and ineffective battle plans.

References

{{Sudanese civil war (2023–present)
Pro-government militia in Sudan
Salafi Jihadist groups
Sudanese civil war (2023–present)
Islamist groups