An internal performance report from Sudan’s Islamic Movement, recently leaked, has exposed extensive involvement in the Popular Resistance Forces (PRF), a civilian militia supporting the Sudanese army in its conflict with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The report, obtained by Sudan Tribune, outlines significant organizational efforts and strategic deployments over the period of April 2023 to April 2024.
The document characterizes the ongoing war as a “continuation of the Zionist project in Sudan” and details the establishment of 2,275 PRF training camps, managed by a central committee with state-level branches. According to the report, 653,106 individuals have been mobilized, with 73,912 actively engaged in combat. The Islamic Movement’s losses include 505 members, referred to as “martyrs” in the report.
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Among its achievements, the report highlights the “securing of the army commander’s decision to mobilize the population” while acknowledging challenges such as sustaining recruitment momentum and reconciling differing visions between official military strategies and the Movement’s agenda for the PRF.
Strategic Deployments and Training Initiatives
The Islamic Movement has reportedly deployed personnel to key battlefronts, including Sarkab, Sennar, El Fao, and units like the Armoured Corps and “Special Forces.” Regional distribution shows River Nile state leading in training camps, followed by Al Jazirah and Northern states. Meanwhile, North Darfur has recorded the most operational deployments, with South Kordofan and North Kordofan trailing closely.
The report also sheds light on specialized training programs:
- Drone operations and jamming systems: 211 cadres trained.
- Urban warfare: 2,000 personnel trained.
- Sniping: 155 individuals trained.
- Missile systems, artillery, and armoured warfare: 30, 90, and 33 cadres trained, respectively.
South Kordofan ranks highest in youth training camps, while Northern state leads in student battalions. These initiatives, according to the report, have laid the groundwork for “a new future” for the Islamic Movement’s national and ideological aspirations.
Armament and Coordination
The PRF’s role in arming civilians for self-defense is also detailed, revealing that some weaponry was acquired through Movement funds, while other supplies came from official sources. Despite this, the report highlights difficulties in aligning the army’s official directives with the Islamic Movement’s strategic goals for the PRF.
Army’s Oversight and Recent Developments
Sudan’s army chief, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has emphasized that all PRF fighters operate under the army’s command to defend the nation. He issued a stern warning to factions with alternative agendas to withdraw their forces. In early 2024, after significant deliberation, Burhan authorized the PRF’s participation. State governors subsequently issued regulations to organize recruitment and mobilization efforts in coordination with security committees and military commanders.
Parallel Islamist Forces
The report also mentions the Al-Baraa bin Malik Battalion, another Islamist military faction that integrated into the Sudanese army during the early stages of the conflict, which began in April 2023.
As the war continues, the revelations from this leaked report provide insight into the deep entanglement of the Islamic Movement with Sudan’s PRF, reflecting broader implications for the country’s military and political dynamics.