As global attention remains fixed on the US-induced global trade war, the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, and the Red Sea crisis, a dangerous transformation is unfolding in Sudan. Beneath the devastating confrontation between Gen Abdel Fattah Al Burhan’s Sudanese Armed Forces and Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo’s Rapid Support Forces, extremist networks long thought dormant are re-emerging, threatening to reshape the country’s future and further destabilise the broader region.
While the international community views the conflict as a struggle for power between two rival generals, Sudan is rapidly becoming a fertile ground for extremist violence. Groups sidelined after the 2019 uprising that toppled then-president Omar Al Bashir are regaining ground politically and militarily. These actors are no longer operating on the margins; they are positioning themselves to shape the country’s post-war political and military order.
The world cannot afford to overlook Sudan’s slide into extremism. The country sits at a critical geopolitical crossroads, linking North Africa, the Sahel, the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea corridor – an artery vital to global trade and energy flows. Its total collapse offers fertile ground for extremist organisations such as ISIS and Al Qaeda to regroup, find training grounds and expand their reach at a time when the international counterterrorism focus has shifted elsewhere. Left unchecked, the reactivation of these networks could ignite a new front in the global war on terror, one rooted in a state with little institutional resistance.
The cruel irony is that the very forces millions of Sudanese rejected through peaceful protests are returning, not through the ballot, but through the bullet. That uprising, led by a generation raised under religious authoritarianism, demanded a definitive break from the manipulation of Islam for political gains. The war has undone that progress, reopening the door for extremist influence.
Their endgame is clear: re-establishing a state that fuses political power with ideological control
As with a number of civil wars, the lines between regular troops and ideological militias have blurred. Formations such as Al Bara Ibn Malik Battalion and Al Bunyan Al Marsous operate under the SAF’s command yet pursue their own radical agendas. Extremist actors, many linked ideologically to the Muslim Brotherhood, have used military alliances and media platforms to re-enter the political scene. By doing this, they have reclaimed a degree of acceptance and visibility after 2019. The SAF’s ambiguous stance – neither fully embracing nor disavowing these forces – has allowed extremist elements to expand their footprint without formal accountability.
Compounding this trend, transnational terrorist groups such as ISIS and Al Qaeda are quietly embedding themselves into the conflict. They see in Sudan a rare opportunity: a state that is collapsing, porous borders and a vacuum of governance. These groups are not merely seeking recruits; they are laying the groundwork to turn Sudan into a logistical base and ideological battleground. Local extremist figures are indirectly contributing to these efforts by framing the war in transnational and sectarian terms, reinforcing narratives of ideological struggle and national identity exclusion.
Others, some previously imprisoned or discredited, are now manoeuvring to recapture power. Former regime loyalists have been released from prison, re-activated within military circles and even seen publicly aligning themselves with the SAF. Their rhetoric is back on state-linked media. Their networks are rebuilding. And their endgame is clear: re-establishing a state that fuses political power with ideological control.
Alongside their growing battlefield presence, Sudanese extremists are waging an ideological campaign that reframes the conflict through a transnational extremist lens. They are crafting a future narrative that casts Sudan not as a country in civil war, but as a frontline in a broader struggle between political Islam and its perceived enemies – both at home and abroad.
Part of this strategy involves monopolising nationalist legitimacy, presenting themselves as the only actors qualified to speak on behalf of Sudan. To prepare the ground for future political exclusion, extremist factions are actively redefining patriotism in militarised terms. By equating loyalty to the nation with participation in the extremist-aligned war effort, they are pre-emptively delegitimising civilian actors.
This narrative dominance is sustained by a vast propaganda apparatus, including well-funded media outlets, newspapers and digital platforms. With opposing voices weakened, the ideological space is increasingly controlled by those advancing a narrow, exclusionary vision of Sudan’s future.
At the same time, extremist messaging is transnational in scope. It seeks to demonise moderate Arab states, fuelling resentment and justifying future hostilities; agitate ethnic tensions, particularly between Arab and African communities; and position Sudan as part of a wider religious war, drawing in sympathisers from across the region. This framework is not just rhetorical – it is strategic.
The return of these forces is not just a Sudanese problem but also a warning to the international community. If extremists consolidate control over state institutions, they will gain the infrastructure and legitimacy to spread radical ideologies across borders, further destabilising an already fragile region.
THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
Power: 420kW
Torque: 780Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh1,350,000
On sale: Available for preorder now
Brief scores:
Day 2
England: 277 & 19-0
West Indies: 154
How to turn your property into a holiday home
- Ensure decoration and styling – and portal photography – quality is high to achieve maximum rates.
- Research equivalent Airbnb homes in your location to ensure competitiveness.
- Post on all relevant platforms to reach the widest audience; whether you let personally or via an agency know your potential guest profile – aiming for the wrong demographic may leave your property empty.
- Factor in costs when working out if holiday letting is beneficial. The annual DCTM fee runs from Dh370 for a one-bedroom flat to Dh1,200. Tourism tax is Dh10-15 per bedroom, per night.
- Check your management company has a physical office, a valid DTCM licence and is licencing your property and paying tourism taxes. For transparency, regularly view your booking calendar.
Tips for newlyweds to better manage finances
All couples are unique and have to create a financial blueprint that is most suitable for their relationship, says Vijay Valecha, chief investment officer at Century Financial. He offers his top five tips for couples to better manage their finances.
Discuss your assets and debts: When married, it’s important to understand each other’s personal financial situation. It’s necessary to know upfront what each party brings to the table, as debts and assets affect spending habits and joint loan qualifications. Discussing all aspects of their finances as a couple prevents anyone from being blindsided later.
Decide on the financial/saving goals: Spouses should independently list their top goals and share their lists with one another to shape a joint plan. Writing down clear goals will help them determine how much to save each month, how much to put aside for short-term goals, and how they will reach their long-term financial goals.
Set a budget: A budget can keep the couple be mindful of their income and expenses. With a monthly budget, couples will know exactly how much they can spend in a category each month, how much they have to work with and what spending areas need to be evaluated.
Decide who manages what: When it comes to handling finances, it’s a good idea to decide who manages what. For example, one person might take on the day-to-day bills, while the other tackles long-term investments and retirement plans.
Money date nights: Talking about money should be a healthy, ongoing conversation and couples should not wait for something to go wrong. They should set time aside every month to talk about future financial decisions and see the progress they’ve made together towards accomplishing their goals.
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
How Alia's experiment will help humans get to Mars
Alia’s winning experiment examined how genes might change under the stresses caused by being in space, such as cosmic radiation and microgravity.
Her samples were placed in a machine on board the International Space Station. called a miniPCR thermal cycler, which can copy DNA multiple times.
After the samples were examined on return to Earth, scientists were able to successfully detect changes caused by being in space in the way DNA transmits instructions through proteins and other molecules in living organisms.
Although Alia’s samples were taken from nematode worms, the results have much bigger long term applications, especially for human space flight and long term missions, such as to Mars.
It also means that the first DNA experiments using human genomes can now be carried out on the ISS.
Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
PROFILE OF INVYGO
Started: 2018
Founders: Eslam Hussein and Pulkit Ganjoo
Based: Dubai
Sector: Transport
Size: 9 employees
Investment: $1,275,000
Investors: Class 5 Global, Equitrust, Gulf Islamic Investments, Kairos K50 and William Zeqiri
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
Company profile
Name: Tratok Portal
Founded: 2017
Based: UAE
Sector: Travel & tourism
Size: 36 employees
Funding: Privately funded
The biog
Favourite film: Motorcycle Dairies, Monsieur Hulot’s Holiday, Kagemusha
Favourite book: One Hundred Years of Solitude
Holiday destination: Sri Lanka
First car: VW Golf
Proudest achievement: Building Robotics Labs at Khalifa University and King’s College London, Daughters
Driverless cars or drones: Driverless Cars
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 258hp from 5,000-6,500rpm
Torque: 400Nm from 1,550-4,000rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.1L/100km
Price: from Dh362,500
On sale: now
GOLF’S RAHMBO
- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)
Sustainable Development Goals
1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere
2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture
3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation
10. Reduce inequality within and among countries
11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its effects
14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
15. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
Company Profile
Company name: Yeepeey
Started: Soft launch in November, 2020
Founders: Sagar Chandiramani, Jatin Sharma and Monish Chandiramani
Based: Dubai
Industry: E-grocery
Initial investment: $150,000
Future plan: Raise $1.5m and enter Saudi Arabia next year
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Day 3 stumps
New Zealand 153 & 249
Pakistan 227 & 37-0 (target 176)
Pakistan require another 139 runs with 10 wickets remaining
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The specs
The specs: 2019 Audi Q8
Price, base: Dh315,000
Engine: 3.0-litre turbocharged V6
Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 340hp @ 3,500rpm
Torque: 500Nm @ 2,250rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.7L / 100km
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
Gulf Under 19s final
Dubai College A 50-12 Dubai College B
Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
