A video circulating online has drawn attention to statements by figures linked to Sudan’s Islamist movement expressing support for Iran amid the escalating regional conflict, prompting criticism and renewed scrutiny of Islamist networks tied to General al-Burhan’s forces (SAF).
In the footage, widely shared on social media, Islamist figure Naji Abdullah appears to call for solidarity with Iran, using religious rhetoric and political slogans while addressing supporters. The remarks were framed as an expression of allegiance during the ongoing confrontation involving Iran and its regional adversaries.
The statements come as Sudan remains engulfed in a devastating civil war that has killed tens of thousands and displaced more than 11 million people since fighting erupted between the SAF and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in April 2023.
Critics say the rhetoric risks further politicising Sudan’s conflict and drawing the country’s Islamist factions into wider regional struggles far beyond Sudan’s borders.
In the video, Abdullah uses anti-American and anti-Israel language and invokes religious themes while urging supporters to rally behind Iran. The messaging echoes longstanding ideological ties between some Sudanese Islamist groups and Iran dating back decades.
Another figure, Owais Ghanem, also appears in the footage. His name has been cited in recent reports as a commander linked to the Al-Baraa Ibn Malik Brigade, an Islamist formation fighting alongside the Sudanese army and widely believed to have ties to networks associated with the Muslim Brotherhood.
Observers say the appearance of such figures in pro-Iran messaging highlights the continued influence of Islamist factions within Sudan’s wartime political and military landscape.
