The U.S. has designated the Sudanese Muslim Brotherhood as a global terrorist organization due to its role in civilian violence in Sudan's ongoing war and its ties to Iran.
The United States has officially designated the Sudanese Muslim Brotherhood (SMB) as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist Organization, with plans to further classify it as a Foreign Terrorist Organization by March 16, 2026. This decision, announced by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, is a response to the group's participation in violence against civilians amid the continuing conflict in Sudan. Rubio emphasized that the SMB's violent actions are intended to disrupt peace efforts and promote their extremist ideology.
According to statements from the U.S. State Department, the Sudanese Muslim Brotherhood consists of the Sudanese Islamic Movement and its armed faction known as the El Baraa Ibn Malik Brigade, which is reported to have over 20,000 fighters. These forces have allegedly received training and logistics support from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, demonstrating an international dimension to the conflict that goes beyond Sudan's borders. The U.S. government's designation intends to isolate the group financially and diplomatically, marking a significant escalation in the U.S. response to the violence in Sudan.
This classification of the Sudanese Muslim Brotherhood signifies a strategic move by the U.S. to combat what it perceives as a growing threat in the region, particularly as conflicts involving violent extremism continue to escalate in parts of Africa. The implications of this designation are profound, potentially affecting international relations and funding sources for the group while underscoring the U.S. commitment to tackling terrorism globally, especially in turbulent regions like Sudan.
