Sudan army replaces 4th Infantry Division commander in Ed Damazin

November 8, 2026 (ED DAMAZIN) – The Sudanese army replaced the commander of the 4th Infantry Division in Ed Damazin, the capital of the Blue Nile region, on Sunday.

Maj. Gen. Abdel Moniem Abdel Basit was appointed to lead the division, succeeding Maj. Gen. El Tayeb Ismail.

Abdel Basit belongs to the 41st intake and has served in several armed forces units, assuming various leadership roles across multiple states.

During the war between the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) that erupted in April 2023, Abdel Basit commanded the Blue Nile region.

From that position, he oversaw military operations in Sennar and Al Jazirah states.

Those campaigns helped the army regain control of the entire Sennar state in 2024.

He also contributed to operations that led to the recapture of Wad Madani in January 2025. His forces advanced and helped liberate areas south of the capital, Khartoum.

Following those offensives, Abdel Basit was transferred to Khartoum to command the 7th Infantry Division.

Military sources told Sudan Tribune that the army’s general staff decided to dismiss Ismail and appoint Abdel Basit as his successor.

In October, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on Abdel Basit.

He was among 15 military figures affiliated with the armed forces, the RSF, and allied groups sanctioned over alleged violations in central Sudan’s Al Jazirah state.

His appointment comes amid escalating military operations in the Blue Nile region.

The army is currently engaged in confrontations with the RSF and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N).

The leadership change occurs as the SPLM-N advances toward areas near Ed Damazin.