The war in Sudan, which began in 2023, has recently attracted considerable media attention in light of the capture of El Fasher in north Darfur by the ‘Rapid Support Forces’ (RSF), which broke off from the Sudanese armed forces (SAF) and is backed by the UAE. Much of this coverage justifiably focuses on shock and outrage at massacres and violations committed by members of the RSF.
I was able to reach out to someone in Sudan’s intelligence apparatus linked to the brigade in order to learn more about the group and its motivations for fighting.
Something arguably missing in the wider coverage is an attempt to understand the motivations and aims of the main warring sides. Such understanding could be realised by trying to reach out to combatants and interviewing them. For example, many supporters of the RSF rhetorically frame the fight as one against ‘Islamism’ and/or the Muslim Brotherhood. Is there any truth to this claim?
I was recently doing some side work tracking supporters of the SAF and auxiliary groups aligned to it and came across one SAF auxiliary group called Liwa al-Furqan (‘The Furqan Brigade’- named for a chapter in the Qur’an). I was able to reach out to someone in Sudan’s intelligence apparatus linked to the brigade in order to learn more about the group and its motivations for fighting. The interview, conducted on 16 November, is slightly edited for clarity.
Q: What is Liwa al-Furqan?
A: Liwa al-Furqan is among the battalions that have become part of the armed forces since the outbreak of the war and have made their stance clear: namely, helping the armed forces and defending the land and honour. They are a group of men- including people with doctorates, medical doctors, engineers and businessmen- who have abandoned their daily occupations in order to defend the land and honour. The brigade’s training, arming, logistical support and instructions are the responsibility of the General Intelligence Service. The brigade is not independent as some people say, but actually among the battalions of the General Intelligence Service. Note that all the forces that participate in the fight now are considered auxiliaries of the armed forces and don’t belong to a political or party bloc.
Q: What is the number of ‘martyrs’ of the brigade since the beginning of its formation? In what battles has the brigade participated? From which regions are most of its fighters?
A: Liwa al-Furqan has fighters from all the provinces of Sudan. The number of martyrs has not been precisely recorded until now because of their large number. The brigade has participated in all the battles that have taken place in Sudan, and until now the brigade is participating on all the fronts. This includes all the battles to liberate Khartoum, all the battles to liberate Omdurman,* all the battles that have happened in all the provinces. So for example the brigade’s contingent in Kordofan has participated on all the fronts in Kordofan.** The brigade has been present in all the places where the struggle has taken place.
Q: Until now, in your view, why hasn’t the SAF been able to destroy the RSF militias?
A: Because of the terrorist Emirates [UAE] support for those militias.
Q: In your view what is the aim of the Emirates in supporting these militias?
A: Stealing the mineral and petroleum resources and implementing the West’s agendas.
Q: May I ask what kind of state does Liwa al-Furqan want? For example does Liwa al-Furqan want a secular state?
A: No one wants a secular state in Sudan: neither Liwa al-Furqan, nor the people nor the armed forces. Sudan is an African Islamic state.
Q: Supporters of the Emirates accuse the SAF and its auxiliary formations of being linked to the Muslim Brotherhood. What’s your comment on that?
A: The Muslim Brotherhood as an organisation or a path?
Q: As an organisation or a path.
A: Is this Islamic organisation shameful in your view?
Q: I have no opinion.
A: I don’t formally belong to the Islamic organisation or Liwa al-Furqan, but we see in them the hope of the Ummah and the path of reform for combatting secularism.
Q: Finally what is your message to the international community?
A: We trust in God and then in our power, rifles and will, and we say to the international community: keep your speeches to yourselves. We are the people of the land and the rifle, and we are writing our history with our blood, not your words.
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*- Located in central Sudan.
**- Region in central Sudan.
Published originally on November 19, 2025.
