The Face of Truth: Brigade of Al-Baraa Ibn Malik: Multiple Tasks in Time of War
Ibrahim Shaglawi
With the outbreak of war in Sudan in mid-April of the previous year, following the coup attempt led by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to seize power, backed by regional support and some internal political forces, Sudanese President and Army Chief, General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, called on Sudanese citizens, especially the youth who are able to bear arms, to defend the country. The war revealed a hidden agenda behind its deceptive public objectives, as the RSF militia swept across several Sudanese states, threatening the security of citizens, occupying their homes, looting their properties, and violating their honor.
Amid this tragedy, groups of Sudanese youth emerged and named themselves the “Brigade of Al-Baraa Ibn Malik,” in honor of the noble companion known for his strong faith and bravery, who defeated a hundred horsemen in one of the battles. This brigade became a unique support to the Sudanese army in the War of Dignity, providing military and civilian assistance on all battlefronts. The role of the “Brigade of Al-Baraa Ibn Malik” stood out in a remarkable and influential national mobilization, seen as a unique phenomenon worthy of study and analysis. This phenomenon represented an honorable model of the role of Sudanese youth in confronting national crises, sparking discussions on how to awaken the energies of youth and channel them to serve national causes, rather than exploiting them for destruction and sabotage, as was the case during the Sudanese Revolution of 2019, which overthrew Omar al-Bashir’s regime.
Thus, the role of the youth in the “Brigade of Al-Baraa” was not a mere response to a call for war but embodied a national mobilization that became admired by all Sudanese, both within the country and abroad. These youth responded to the call of duty to confront the forces of rebellion and the chaos they brought to the country, raising questions about how quickly they gathered after the army commander’s call. Observers answered these questions based on certain factors, including the war’s tragic impact on civilians, as well as the large-scale displacement caused by the RSF’s brutal tactics of terror, killing, and rape.
Additionally, the presence of youth on social media played a significant role in the speed of their response, facilitating quick national reactions among these youth, who did not belong to political groups or specific ideological backgrounds, but were united by the broad Islamic current that brings together all Sudanese people around noble values and awareness of regional and international threats to the country. Among them were also groups formed by those who shared a love for their country, coming from all strata of Sudanese society. They abandoned their university studies, left their professions, and joined the ranks of the Sudanese army to defend their homeland.
Alongside their active military role on the frontlines, the “Brigade of Al-Baraa Ibn Malik” also engaged in civilian activities, which made them appear in various forms that reflected their commitment to supporting Sudanese citizens. The “Baraoons,” as they are called, helped with relief efforts, providing medical care, emergency medicine, road rehabilitation, and the restoration of destroyed facilities, as seen in the maternity hospitals in Omdurman (“Al-Dayat”) and debris removal. They worked to restore electricity and water services, as well as re-establish schools that began receiving students in the liberated areas of Khartoum state. These youth carried the slogan “Baraoons, O Messenger of Allah, we offer our souls in the way of Allah,” raising their index fingers high, which became a patriotic song sung by Sudanese people in all their gatherings amidst the challenges of war, reflecting their deep connection between national struggle and their faith in religious values and national dignity.
According to specialists, the phenomenon of youth involvement from both genders, responding to the call of the brigade’s slogans, has revived the national spirit at a time when political parties have weakened the values of belonging to the homeland and failed to provide innovative solutions to strengthen national unity. Supporting the direction of these youth, away from zero-sum political or regional tribal tendencies, is a pressing national necessity that we must all unite to achieve in order to ensure peaceful coexistence among Sudanese citizens. It can therefore be said that the “Brigade of Al-Baraa Ibn Malik” is not just a passing phenomenon, but a genuine national model that demonstrates the great impact youth can have on national issues, contributing to strengthening national unity, protecting the country from regional and international interference, and rebuilding the nation.
Therefore, it is important to look at the phenomenon of youth influence on political and social life through the lens of recent youth-led revolutions in our regional surroundings and perhaps internationally, such as those in Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt, and the youth movements in Libya, Syria, Nigeria, and the Yellow Vests in France. Youth have always played a central role in shaping the present and future of nations. From this perspective, as we see in this aspect of the truth, the “Brigade of Al-Baraa Ibn Malik” represents a model of what youth can achieve if their energies are directed toward serving national causes. The success of our country in preserving its unity and rebuilding its institutions requires investing in the energies of youth to revive national spirits and foster cooperation between generations. The youth of the “Brigade of Al-Baraa Ibn Malik” have set an honorable example that can serve as a starting point for rebuilding Sudan on solid foundations of unity, consensus, and peaceful coexistence, for the restoration of security and the achievement of peace.
Wishing you well and good health.
Friday, November 29, 2024.
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