The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has announced sanctions against two Sudanese Islamist actors: Gebreil Ibrahim Mohamed Fediel, known as Gebreil, and the Al-Baraa Bin Malik Brigade (BBMB). The action targets their roles in Sudan’s ongoing civil war and their connections to Iran. According to the Treasury, these measures are intended to limit Islamist influence in Sudan and reduce Iran’s activities in the region, which have contributed to instability and civilian suffering.
“Sudanese Islamist groups have formed dangerous alliances with the Iranian regime. We will not stand by idly and allow them to threaten regional and global security,” said Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence John K. Hurley. “The Treasury Department is using our powerful sanctions tools to disrupt this activity and protect U.S. national security.”
Sudanese Islamist groups have played a prominent role in shaping events within Sudan for decades, including during former President Omar al-Bashir’s regime. In recent years, these groups have undermined efforts at democratic transition by opposing both the civilian-led transitional government and peace agreements.
Their actions are seen as a contributing factor to renewed fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) that erupted in April 2023. Since then, it is estimated that around 150,000 people have died and more than 14 million have been displaced due to violence, making it one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises.
Gebreil serves as Sudan’s Finance Minister and leads the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), an armed group with historical links to Hassan al Turabi, who led Sudan's earlier Islamist revolution. JEM fighters have participated in clashes against RSF forces, resulting in destruction across several towns as well as significant civilian casualties and displacement. Gebreil has also worked with Iranian officials on strengthening political and economic ties, including a visit to Tehran last November.
BBMB is described as an Islamist militia that evolved from Sudan's Popular Defense Forces—a paramilitary organization associated with Bashir's rule. The group has deployed approximately 20,000 fighters against RSF forces with training and arms provided by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). BBMB members have reportedly engaged in arbitrary arrests, torture, and executions of suspected RSF supporters.
Both Gebreil and BBMB are being sanctioned under Executive Order 14098 for actions deemed threatening to peace or stability in Sudan or undermining prospects for a democratic transition.
As a result of these sanctions, all property belonging to those designated that falls within U.S. jurisdiction is blocked; entities owned at least 50 percent by designated individuals or groups are also affected. U.S. persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions involving these parties unless authorized by OFAC or exempted under specific regulations.
Sanctions violations can lead to civil or criminal penalties for both U.S. nationals and foreign persons involved. Financial institutions may face additional exposure if they conduct business with sanctioned individuals or entities.
OFAC states its sanctions aim ultimately at changing behavior rather than punishment alone; it maintains processes for removal from designation lists when warranted according to law.
Further information about today’s designations can be found at https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy2209.
