Armed Groups in Sudan's War: Interview with the Leader of 'al-Barq al-Khatif'

Of the various armed groups fighting on the side of the Sudanese armed forces in the ongoing civil war, some groups are newer formations whereas others have roots going back decades. One prominent group of the latter sort is the ‘al-Barq al-Khatif’ (‘Flash of Lightning’) forces.

Recently, I was able to conduct with Ibn Omar, who commands ‘al-Barq al-Khatif’. The discussion focused on the origin of the formation, its efforts alongside the Sudanese armed forces against the Rapid Support Forces, and the group’s vision for the Sudanese state.

Emblem of al-Barq al-Khatif. The motto reads: ‘Patience, Obedience, Steadfastness.’

Q: When was al-Barq al-Khatif formed and what were its origins exactly?