Fresh twist in Sudan war as US declares Sudanese Muslim Brotherhood a terror group

The United States claimed that the Sudanese Muslim Brotherhood uses unrestrained violence against civilians to undermine efforts to resolve the conflict in Sudan and advance its violent Islamist ideology. 

It further alleged that many of its fighters receive training and support from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which has resulted in mass executions of civilians. 

"The Sudanese Muslim Brotherhood’s al-Baraa Bin Malik Brigade was designated pursuant to E.O. 14098 in September 2025 for its role in Sudan’s brutal war," read the declaration in part.

The designation comes after the United States in January declared several other Muslim Brotherhood branches to be terrorist organizations, including in its historic base of Egypt.

The Muslim Brotherhood branches are allegedly an integral part of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, claims the army has strongly denied.

Army chief al-Burhan has a complex relationship with Islamists in the country and relies on them for support, but has denied having Brotherhood members in his government.

Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates, which has been widely accused of arming the Sudanese paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) — at war with Sudan's army since April 2023 -- has also repeatedly denied the allegations.

The UAE has long opposed the Muslim Brotherhood and its political Islam.

The RSF also welcomed Washington's decision.

The group said the move "reflects growing awareness of the scale of suffering the Sudanese people have endured during the past years", according to AFP.

The paramilitary group has widely been accused of committing mass atrocities in Sudan, with the United States saying last year that the RSF had carried out acts of genocide against black Sudanese.

UN probes have said that the RSF relies on backing from the United Arab Emirates, a close US ally, which has denied providing material support.

The United States last year said that the RSF has carried out acts of genocide with systematic killings and sexual violence against black Sudanese. The United States also said the army carried out war crimes.

Established in 1928 by Egyptian Muslim scholar Hassan al-Banna, the Muslim Brotherhood has offshoots and branches across the Middle East, including political parties and social organisations.

The group and its affiliates say they are committed to peaceful political participation.

Likewise, the geopolitical dynamics of Sudan’s brutal conflict will take a dramatic turn, one that increasingly places the SAF under global scrutiny.

Diplomatic circles are already noting that the designation could influence future engagement, sanctions considerations, and even humanitarian coordination in Sudan.