Leader of SAF General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan fired back at Islamist preacher Abdel Hay Youssif over recent remarks questioning SAF’s effectiveness and independence.
Speaking to troops in Omdurman, al-Burhan rejected assertions that Islamist factions were behind recent battlefield gains against the RSF.
“The army does not belong to any individual,” al-Burhan told the troops in Omdurman. “If any entity believes it has a fighter within our ranks, let them come and take him.”
He stressed SAF’s competence and warned people not to speak on its behalf, directly addressing recent comments by Islamic preacher Abdel Hay Youssif, who lives in Turkey.
“To anyone doubting this, we say: come and see for yourself,” al-Burhan said, referring to Youssif ‘s claims that the army was ineffective.
“Just yesterday, a takfiri – and we consider him one of the extremists – claimed there is no army.”
Takfir is an Arabic word used to describe a Muslim as an infidel or non-believer. The practice of accusing another Muslim of apostasy or declaring another Muslim as infidel is called Takfir.
“Stay asleep in your cold, comfortable place because you lack the courage to face real men,” Burhan said.
On Friday, Youssif attributed the SAF’s battlefield successes to the Popular Resistance, which he linked to the Islamic Movement.
He also criticized al-Burhan personally, saying the Islamic Movement did not trust him and accusing him of allowing the RSF to grow in strength.
Youssif’s remarks drew an immediate response from SAF and allies, which released a statement supporting al-Burhan and denying Youssif’s claims.
Al-Burhan dismissed Youssif as “misguided” but the preacher is very influential and his comments carry weight.
Experts warn this could lead to a deep rift between General al-Burhan’s SAF and the Islamic Movement, complicating an already fragile alliance and leading to further clashes.
