Commander of SAF-allied Islamist militant group detained by Saudi authorities

PORT SUDAN – Sudanese militia leader Al Misbah Abu Zeid, commander of the Malik Ibn Baraa Brigade, is being held by Saudi authorities, sources familiar with the situation said. The reason for his detention remains unclear.

The brigade, considered a jihadist group allied with Sudan’s military (SAF), emerged during the conflict that erupted in April 2023.

It is linked to the Popular Defence Forces, a paramilitary group active during Omar al-Bashir’s rule, now known as the ‘Shadow Battalions’ and largely controlled by the Sudanese Islamic Movement.

Sources say Al Misbah was detained on June 4, 2024, and remains in Saudi custody. The Sudanese government is seeking his release, but Saudi Arabia has not commented publicly.

A media official for the Islamist militant group denied threats against Saudi Arabia but said they trust Sudanese authorities to handle the matter.

Sources allege Al Misbah was detained during the Umrah pilgrimage, possibly due to a gathering of Sudanese citizens around him for photographs. This could violate Saudi Arabia’s Penal Law of Crimes of Terrorism and its Financing.

Sudanese journalist Abdelmajid Abdelhamid said on Facebook the foreign ministry contacted Saudi Arabia regarding Al Misbah’s detention but received no response.

The Malik Ibn Baraa Brigade supports the Sudanese army and maintains an active social media presence. Affiliated with Islamist organizations and the dissolved National Congress Party, the brigade emerged as a popular mobilization response to the war.

Pro-Islamist social media accounts demanded Al Misbah’s release, with veiled threats towards Saudi Arabia.

“Our silence on al-Misbah wasn’t weakness, but deference,” a statement on a former Twitter platform said. “We won’t stay silent on harm to our leaders,” it added, demanding Al Misbah’s release within 48 hours.”