The al-Bara' ibn Malik Battalion and the
broader Islamic movement have been preparing their fighters since the
Sudanese revolution in 2019, 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. 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. The organization is currently engaged on the
Khartoum front lines against the RSF and has consequently gained a notable degree of recognition and popularity among the local population.
Human Rights Watch accused al-Bara' ibn Malik Battalion of committing war crimes by targeting civilians during the
SAF offensive in Gezira state. A video shows a citizen being dragged by members of al-Bara milita, a rope tied around his mouth, and then thrown into the Nile from a bridge after his body was filled with bullets.
Sanctions On 12 September 2025, the United States imposed sanctions on the unit for its role in the civil war and connections with Iran. On 30 January 2026, the European Union sanctioned the unit's commander, Al-Misbah Abu Zaid Talha. On 9 March 2026, the United States included the unit to its list of Specially Designated Global Terrorists. == Reception ==