A video released by Brigadier General Tariq al-Hadi Kajab has placed General Abdel Fattah al Burhan’s army under mounting pressure, prompting Burhan to act quickly to remove the senior officer.
Burhan ordered Kajab’s retirement after footage emerged showing him urging Iran to target critical infrastructure in Gulf states.
The widely shared recording showed Kajab calling for strikes on power stations and desalination facilities, sparking sharp reactions both inside Sudan and across the region.
Officials viewed the remarks as dangerously inflammatory, heightening concerns about increasingly hardline rhetoric linked to figures within Burhan’s army during an already tense regional period.
Observers said the move came amid growing external pressure, coinciding with Saudi Arabia’s reported suspension of a major arms agreement intended for the Burhan’s army.
Diplomatic sources said Riyadh questioned the military leadership’s reliability, pointing to unfulfilled commitments and what it sees as rising Islamist influence within Sudan’s political and military decision-making circles.
According to Africa Intelligence, a planned $1.5 billion defence deal with Pakistan, including fighter jets, drones and air defence systems, has stalled due to Saudi reservations.
Regional tensions involving Iran have further complicated negotiations, increasing uncertainty over Burhan’s military partnerships and future foreign support.
Analysts said Kajab’s removal appears part of broader efforts by Burhan to ease international pressure following arrests of Islamist-aligned figures accused of promoting pro-Iran rhetoric.
The United States has meanwhile pressed for limiting Islamist influence within the army as diplomatic consultations continue ahead of a conference scheduled in Berlin.
Relations with neighbouring countries have also come under strain after Sudanese military figures issued threats against regional targets, prompting protests from Chad and other governments.
Separate reports also described unannounced meetings between Burhan and an Iranian delegation in Port Sudan, where discussions reportedly covered expanded cooperation and possible naval facilities on the Red Sea coast.
Taken together, the developments highlight a military leadership attempting to balance fragile alliances while easing regional concerns amid Sudan’s deepening political and security crisis.
