The al-Bara’ bin Malik Corps, named for one of the companions of the Prophet Muhammad who was renowned for participating in the Prophet’s military expeditions and then the subsequent Islamic conquests, is one of the main auxiliary groups of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) in Sudan’s ongoing civil war, which is being fought between the SAF and the Rapid Support Forces and has yet to see a decisive victory for either side.
Below is an interview I conducted with a representative of the al-Bara’ bin Malik Corps, discussing its origins, role in Sudan’s war, the question of links to the Muslim Brotherhood, whether Sudan is heading towards a partition or some kind of peace settlement between the two warring sides, and the question of normalisation of relations between Sudan and Israel. The interview is edited and condensed for clarity.
Q: When was the al-Bara’ bin Malik Corps formed and for what reasons? Was the corps a brigade originally?
A: I seek refuge in God from the accursed Satan. In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful. I pray for, bless and greet our sayyid, imam and beloved Muhammad (God’s blessings and peace be upon him). The al-Bara’ bin Malik Corps was established more than 27 years ago, and represented one of the formations of the reserve forces or popular defence forces at that time. Popular defence forces are established through law and parliament and reserve forces are well-known in all states. Since that time, the al-Bara’ bin Malik Battalion was formed and became one of the special forces battalions affiliated with the reserve forces or popular defence forces. It is an indivisible part of the armed forces and is relied upon to participate in operations in accordance with its plans and its instructions. This is a simple overview of the establishment of the brigade or battalion at that time.
As for the reasons for its formation, as I have mentioned, it was established as a reserve or popular defence force. The circumstances of this stage have dictated the al-Bara’ bin Malik force’s participation in the battles from day one. Young men from everywhere have hurried to join the al-Bara’ bin Malik battalion. And so, to accommodate the large numbers who have hurried to join, it has been necessary for the battalion to be turned into battalions, and then a brigade, and finally a corps more recently. Now it is considered among the special auxiliary forces within the Sudanese Armed Forces. We are administratively tied to the armed forces and an indivisible part of it in all details.
The al-Bara’ bin Malik Corps does not represent a party or a side. We are youth from across Sudan who came together to defend our homeland against what our people have witnessed.
Q: In which battles has the corps participated and what is the number of its ‘martyrs’?
A: It would be more correct for us to say: in which battles has the corps not participated? Praise be to God the Lord of the World-Dwellers, the corps has been present in every battle. We have participated in all the battles together with the Sudanese Armed Forces and we have participated liberating all the lands from the treacherous militia in Khartoum and outside Khartoum. And now we are present on more than six fronts in Kordofan. By the grace of God Almighty, in what battle has the al-Bara’ bin Malik Corps not participated? As for the number of martyrs, we don’t have a precise count since the battles are ongoing. But we ask God to accept the martyrs and heal the wounded.
Q: The supporters of the Rapid Support Forces and UAE often say that they are fighting the Muslim Brotherhood in Sudan. Can you clarify the relationship between the corps and the Muslim Brotherhood? What is the type of state that the al-Bara’ bin Malik Corps wants in Sudan?
A: This is misleading propaganda constantly repeated by the enemy, their aides and their supporters from the petty state of the Emirates, and the so-called Foundation Alliance. This is one of the pretexts they use to defame the auxiliary forces abroad and inside Sudan. But our people are aware and realise exactly who the enemy is. The al-Bara’ bin Malik Corps does not represent a party or side: only youth who have called on each other to defend their homeland against what they have seen and witnessed their homeland and its citizens face in Darfur, El-Fashir, Khartoum, Singa and most of the places and areas attacked by this treacherous militia. Thus, the Sudanese people are perfectly aware of these falsehoods employed by the enemy. The Rapid Support militia is currently killing the Sudanese people. The al-Bara’ bin Malik Corps and all the formations and all the auxiliary forces are youth who represent all the components of Sudanese society, seeking to defend their honour against the violations and acts of wrongdoing the people have faced. All have seen these acts, on the outside before those on the inside.
Q: How do you assess the military situation in Sudan right now? Can it be said that the Sudanese Armed Forces are winning right now? Or is the country heading to partition?
Those who claim we are fighting on behalf of the Muslim Brotherhood are repeating propaganda used to defame the auxiliary forces inside Sudan and abroad.
A: Praise be to God the Lord of the World-Dwellers, by the grace and help of God Almighty and then the prayers of the Sudanese people and the oppressed and free people who have been subject to violations, oppression and rape, we will be victorious by the permission of God Almighty sooner or later, even if victory is delayed. Those who have the upper hand right now are the Sudanese Armed Forces. Victory is inevitably coming and this treacherous militia will vanish. Take it from me, God willing, this country will be cleansed of every mercenary, every collaborator, every traitor and every person who has sold out his homeland. The armed forces will inevitably be victorious and win, by the permission of God Almighty. As for notions of partitioning the land, these are fantasies. As long as the heart still keeps beating in us and a drop of blood flows in us, this land will only be partitioned over our bodies. By the permission of God Almighty, Sudanwill remain one and unified, and Sudan will be cleansed of every mercenary and collaborator, God willing and by the permission of God Almighty.
Q: Before the war broke out in Sudan, there was talk about ‘normalising relations’ with Israel. What is the position of the corps on this matter?
A: By God, we are only concerned with this battle [with the Rapid Support Forces] and not concerned with anything else. I consider that this questions concerns something before the war and I don’t have details whereby I can give my opinion in this matter.
Q: Finally what’s your message to the international community?
A: Before I direct a message to the international community, allow me to direct one to the Sudanese people. Be patient, and victory is inevitably coming by God’s permission. We will be victorious because we are in the right, because we have been wronged and unjustly forced out from our abodes. Victory is coming by God Almighty’s power, with just a little patience and many prayers, and if we trust in God and the armed forces. Our message to the international community: all who bet on this militia will be losers. For throughout history, the Sudanese people’s determination and will have not been broken. Now the Sudanese people have spoken: one army, one people. I hope all the components of the international community will stand with what is right. God bless you and reward you best.
Published originally on February 13, 2026.
