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'{{Short description|Sudanese Islamist militia}} {{Infobox war faction | name = Al-Bara' ibn Malik Battalion | native_name = كتيبة البراء بن مالك | native_name_lang = ar | caption = The [[battalion]]'s logo with the battalion's name and the phrase "Here I am, [[Mohammed|Messenger of God]]", all in Arabic | logo = Al-Bara' ibn Malik Brigade.jpg | logo_size = 250 | founder = | leaders = Almusbah Abuzaid <small>(Commander)<ref>{{Cite web |title=هل تنجح واشنطن في إحياء مفاوضات السودان؟ |url=https://alnkkar.com/news12541.html |access-date=2024-04-10 |website=شبكة النقار الإخبارية}}</ref></small></br>Anas Omar{{POW}}</br>Huzeifa Istanbul</br>Muhammad al-Fadl{{KIA}} | leader = | active = {{start date and age|2020|01|07|df=yes}}<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-03 |title=استهدف في عطبرة.. من هو لواء البراء بن مالك؟ |url=https://elmanshar.com/2024/04/03/%d8%a7%d8%b3%d8%aa%d9%87%d8%af%d9%81-%d9%81%d9%8a-%d8%b9%d8%b7%d8%a8%d8%b1%d8%a9-%d9%85%d9%86-%d9%87%d9%88-%d9%84%d9%88%d8%a7%d8%a1-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%a8%d8%b1%d8%a7%d8%a1-%d8%a8%d9%86-%d9%85%d8%a7/ |access-date=2024-04-10 |language=ar}}</ref> | country = {{flagicon|Sudan}} [[Sudan]] | allegiance = {{flagicon image|National Congress of Sudan logo.png}} [[National Congress Party (Sudan)|National Congress Party]] <small>(formerly the [[National Islamic Front]])</small> | ideology = [[Islamism in Sudan|Islamism]] | partof = {{flagicon image|Emblem of the Popular Defence Force.svg}} [[Popular Defence Forces]] <small>(currently known as the Shadow Battalions)<ref name=":5" /></small> | allies = {{armed forces|Sudan}} | opponents = {{flagicon image|Emblem of the Rapid Support Forces.png|border=}} [[Rapid Support Forces]] | war = [[War in Sudan (2023–present)|War in Sudan]] *[[Battle of Khartoum (2023–present)|Battle of Khartoum]] *[[Battle of Wad Madani (2023–present)|Battle of Wad Madani]] }} The '''Al-Bara' ibn Malik Battalion''' ({{Lang-ar|كتيبة البراء بن مالك}}), also spelled as '''El-Baraa Ibn Malik Battalion''', is a Sudanese [[Mujahideen|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 [[Republic of Sudan (1985–2019)|Bashir regime era]], and currently known as the 'Shadow Battalions' ({{Lang-ar|كتائب الظل}}).<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-09 |title=كتائب الظل: ما حدود انخراط الإخوان في المواجهات المسلحة بالسودان؟ |url=https://arabwall.com/%D9%85%D8%A7-%D8%AD%D8%AF%D9%88%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AE%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%B7-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A5%D8%AE%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%AC%D9%87%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84/ |access-date=2024-04-10 |website=الحائط العربي |language=ar}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=العرب |first=Al Arab |date=2023-07-07 |title=كتائب الظل تخرج إلى النور لإنقاذ الجيش السوداني من ورطته {{!}} |url=https://alarab.co.uk/%D9%83%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%A6%D8%A8-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B8%D9%84-%D8%AA%D8%AE%D8%B1%D8%AC-%D8%A5%D9%84%D9%89-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%D9%88%D8%B1-%D9%84%D8%A5%D9%86%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%B0-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D9%8A%D8%B4-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%88%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%8A-%D9%85%D9%86-%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%B7%D8%AA%D9%87 |access-date=2024-04-10 |website=صحيفة العرب |language=ar}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-09-11 |title=حرب السودان.. الإسلاميون يستنفرون التنظيمات الجهادية |url=https://icss.ae/articles/view/%D8%AD%D8%B1%D8%A8-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%88%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A5%D8%B3%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%85%D9%8A%D9%88%D9%86-%D9%8A%D8%B3%D8%AA%D9%86%D9%81%D8%B1%D9%88%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D9%86%D8%B8%D9%8A%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D9%87%D8%A7%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%A9- |access-date=2024-04-10 |website=International Center for Strategic Studies |language=ar}}</ref> It has been active in supporting the [[Sudanese Armed Forces]] (SAF) in their [[War in Sudan (2023–present)|ongoing battles]] against the [[Rapid Support Forces]] (RSF).<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Lisa |date=2023-09-26 |title=Unravelling Sudan's militia matrix: PRF and other emerging forces |url=https://www.dabangasudan.org/en/all-news/article/unravelling-sudans-militia-matrix-prf-and-other-emerging-forces |access-date=2024-04-10 |website=Dabanga Radio TV Online |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Sudanese revolutionaries fighting alongside army against RSF |url=https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/sudan-activists-fighting-rsf-alongside-army |access-date=2024-04-10 |website=Middle East Eye |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-02 |title=الحرب في السودان: كيف يقاتل أنصار عمر البشير في صفوف الجيش السوداني؟ |url=https://www.bbc.com/arabic/articles/cyr1k40j02jo |access-date=2024-04-10 |website=BBC News عربي |language=ar}}</ref> == History == The battalion, [[Al-Bara' ibn Malik]], is named after a famous Muslim combatant during the early Muslim conquests.<ref name=":0" /> The Al-Bara bin Malik Battalion and similar militant groups have significantly bolstered the Sudanese army's ranks.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=عثمان |first=مزدلفة |title=ما الجهات التي تساند الجيش السوداني في حربه ضد الدعم السريع؟ |url=https://www.aljazeera.net/politics/2024/2/3/%d8%aa%d8%b4%d9%83%d9%8a%d9%84%d8%a7%d8%aa-%d8%b9%d8%b3%d9%83%d8%b1%d9%8a%d8%a9-%d9%88%d8%b4%d8%b9%d8%a8%d9%8a%d8%a9-%d8%aa%d9%82%d8%a7%d8%aa%d9%84-%d9%85%d8%b9-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%ac%d9%8a%d8%b4 |access-date=2024-04-10 |website=الجزيرة نت |language=ar}}</ref> 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 (Sudan)|National Congress Party]]) and [[Omar al-Bashir]].<ref name=":1" /> The army was '[[Islamism in Sudan|Islamised]]' in the early 1990s under al-Bashir's rule, with suspected opponents often removed or executed.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=2023-07-17 |title="كتيبة البراء بن مالك".. تحقيق لـ"العربي" يكشف قصتها ودورها بأحداث السودان |url=https://www.alaraby.com/news/%D9%83%D8%AA%D9%8A%D8%A8%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%A1-%D8%A8%D9%86-%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%83-%D8%AA%D8%AD%D9%82%D9%8A%D9%82-%D9%84%D9%80%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%B1%D8%A8%D9%8A-%D9%8A%D9%83%D8%B4%D9%81-%D9%82%D8%B5%D8%AA%D9%87%D8%A7-%D9%88%D8%AF%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%87%D8%A7-%D8%A8%D8%A3%D8%AD%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%AB-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%88%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%86 |access-date=2024-04-10 |website=التلفزيون العربي |language=ar}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite web |date=2023-07-17 |title="مجاهدون" الى جانب الجيش… السودان يوشك أن يصبح بؤرة إرهاب مشتعلة |url=https://daraj.media/110048/ |access-date=2024-04-10 |website=Daraj |language=ar}}</ref><ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last=النور |first=النور أحمد |title=هل أسهمت "المقاومة الشعبية" في ترجيح كفة الجيش السوداني؟ |url=https://www.aljazeera.net/politics/2024/3/15/%d9%87%d9%84-%d8%a3%d8%b3%d9%87%d9%85%d8%aa-%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%85%d9%82%d8%a7%d9%88%d9%85%d8%a9-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%b4%d8%b9%d8%a8%d9%8a%d8%a9-%d9%81%d9%8a-%d8%aa%d8%b1%d8%ac%d9%8a%d8%ad |access-date=2024-04-10 |website=الجزيرة نت |language=ar}}</ref> The PDF, which fought against the [[Sudan People’s Liberation Army|Sudan People's Liberation Army]] (SPLA) in the [[Second Sudanese Civil War|second Sudanese civil war]], has been operating covertly since [[2019 Sudanese coup d'état|Bashir's removal]] until the [[War in Sudan (2023–present)|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).<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=2023-11-21 |title=What are the limits of the Brotherhood's involvement in armed confrontations in Sudan? |url=https://arabwall.com/en/what-are-the-limits-of-the-brotherhoods-involvement-in-armed-confrontations-in-sudan/ |access-date=2024-04-10 |website=The Arab Wall |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":5" /> The Al-Bara' ibn Malik Battalion and the [[Islamic movement in Sudan|broader Islamic movement]] have been preparing their fighters [[Sudanese revolution|since 2019]] and have connections with some officers in Sudan's military intelligence.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":4" /> The group has been actively fighting alongside the SAF in their [[War in Sudan (2023–present)|ongoing battles]] against the [[Rapid Support Forces]] (RSF) since the war started on 15 April 2023, suffering many casualties in various locations.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":0" /><ref name=":7" /> One of the deadliest battles for the Al-Bara bin Malik fighters occurred inside and around the military [[Armoured Corps (Sudan)|Armoured Corps]] in Khartoum.<ref name=":1" /> According to Daraj, Al-Bara' ibn Malik Battalion has representation in at least two military divisions, namely the Armoured Corps and the [[Infantry Corps (Sudan)|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 [[Sudanese revolution|quelling peaceful demonstrations]].<ref name=":6" /> The battalion has made appearances in numerous video clips, depicting its active participation in these battles.<ref name=":0" /> The group, led by Almusbah Abuzaid, promotes a [[militant Islamist ideology]]. Abuzaid, who was injured in the [[Battle of Khartoum (2023–present)|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.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3" /> Another leader, Anas Omer, was a notable member of the now-disbanded [[National Congress Party (Sudan)|National Congress Party]] (NCP) under President al-Bashir, and was taken into custody by the RSF on 16 May 2023.<ref name=":0" /> Muhammad al-Fadl Abd al-Wahed Othman, another leader, previously has sworn loyalty to [[Islamic State]], and he was [[killed in action]] June 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-06-21 |title=Islamist 'shadow brigades' emerge as key factor in Sudan conflict as fighting resumes |url=https://thearabweekly.com/islamist-shadow-brigades-emerge-key-factor-sudan-conflict-fighting-resumes |website=The Arab Weekly}}</ref> At the meeting of the [[United Nations General Assembly]], the commander of SAF, [[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, 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.<ref name=":1" /> On 29 March, SAF commander [[Shams al-Din Khabbashi]] stressed that groups like Al-Bara' ibn Malik Battalion "need to be better controlled."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lisa |date=2024-03-29 |title=Sudan Army Commander Kabbashi: popular resistance groups need control |url=https://www.dabangasudan.org/en/all-news/article/sudan-army-commander-kabbashi-popular-resistance-groups-need-control |access-date=2024-04-10 |website=Dabanga Radio TV Online |language=en-GB}}</ref> 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.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=مقتل 12 شخصا بهجوم طائرة مسيّرة شمال شرقي السودان {{!}} الحرة |url=https://www.alhurra.com/sudan/2024/04/03/%D9%85%D9%82%D8%AA%D9%84-12-%D8%B4%D8%AE%D8%B5%D8%A7-%D8%A8%D9%87%D8%AC%D9%88%D9%85-%D8%B7%D8%A7%D8%A6%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D9%85%D8%B3%D9%8A%D9%91%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D8%B4%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%84-%D8%B4%D8%B1%D9%82%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%88%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%86 |access-date=2024-04-03 |website=www.alhurra.com |language=ar}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-03 |title=استهدف في عطبرة.. من هو لواء البراء بن مالك؟ |url=https://elmanshar.com/2024/04/03/%d8%a7%d8%b3%d8%aa%d9%87%d8%af%d9%81-%d9%81%d9%8a-%d8%b9%d8%b7%d8%a8%d8%b1%d8%a9-%d9%85%d9%86-%d9%87%d9%88-%d9%84%d9%88%d8%a7%d8%a1-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%a8%d8%b1%d8%a7%d8%a1-%d8%a8%d9%86-%d9%85%d8%a7/ |access-date=2024-04-10 |language=ar}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=مبارك |first=ميعاد |date=2024-04-03 |title=السودان: ارتفاع عدد ضحايا تفجير إفطار كتائب «البراء بن مالك» الإسلامية إلى 15 قتيلا وعدد الجرحى يتجاوز الـ50 |url=https://www.alquds.co.uk/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%88%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AA%D9%81%D8%A7%D8%B9-%D8%B9%D8%AF%D8%AF-%D8%B6%D8%AD%D8%A7%D9%8A%D8%A7-%D8%AA%D9%81%D8%AC%D9%8A%D8%B1-%D8%A5%D9%81%D8%B7%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D9%83/ |website=Al-Quds}}</ref> The RSF is yet to claim responsibility of the attack that happened {{Convert|300|km}} away from its nearest camp.<ref name=":2" /> [[Mustafa Tambour]], leader of the [[Sudan Liberation Movement/Army#Sudan Liberation Movement (Tambour)|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."<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2024-04-05 |title=قصف كتيبة البراء بن مالك .. خلاف أم خداع؟ |url=https://rhinosd.net/?p=6747 |access-date=2024-04-10 |website=وكالة راينو الإخبارية |language=ar}}</ref> == Other groups == The ''''Al-Bunyan Al-Marsous'''<nowiki/>' ({{Lang-ar|البنيان المرصوص}}) 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 (Sudan)|National Intelligence and Security Service]] from the [[Republic of Sudan (1985–2019)|Bashir regime era]]. The battalion has undergone advanced weapons training and is currently deployed in several capital cities.<ref name=":5" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=هل تنجح واشنطن في إحياء مفاوضات السودان؟ |url=https://alnkkar.com/news12541.html |access-date=2024-04-10 |website=شبكة النقار الإخبارية}}</ref> Other groups, such as the '<nowiki/>'''Popular Security'''<nowiki/>' group and the youth group ''''Angry Without Borders'''<nowiki/>' ({{Lang-ar|غاضبون بلا حدود}}), have also joined the army forces. The latter, known for its resistance against the military junta, has members in various army units and camps.<ref name=":5" /> According to [[Al Jazeera Arabic]], preparations are underway to announce a new battalion, ''''Al-Matmoura'''<nowiki/>' ({{Lang-ar|كتيبة المطمورة}}), 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.<ref name=":5" /> 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.<ref name=":5" /> 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.<ref name=":5" /> == References == {{Reflist}}{{War in Sudan (2023–present)}} [[Category:Military of Sudan]] [[Category:Arab militant groups]] [[Category:War in Sudan (2023−present)]] [[Category:Islamist kidnappers]]'