Egyptian authorities arrest commander of pro-army Sudanese brigade

August 5, 2025 (PORT SUDAN) – Egyptian authorities on Tuesday arrested Almesbah Abu Zeid Talha, the commander of a prominent Islamist brigade fighting alongside the Sudanese army, from his residence in Alexandria, two sources familiar with the matter said.

Security personnel in three vehicles raided Talha’s home in the Al-Ajami district at around 8:00 a.m. and took him to an undisclosed location, the sources said. His family was not given a reason for the arrest.

A high-ranking official in Sudan’s Sovereignty Council is reportedly engaging in intensive contacts with Egyptian officials to determine the reasons behind his detention and secure his release, according to information obtained by Sudan Tribune.

Talha leads the Al-Baraa bin Malik Brigade, an Islamist-leaning faction that has been a key ally for the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) in its war against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since April 2023. He had been in Egypt for about four weeks for medical treatment and to visit his family.

The reason for the arrest remains unclear, but there is speculation that it could be linked to unauthorized religious activities, which are prohibited under Egyptian law for foreign residents without prior permission.

The commander was previously detained by Saudi authorities for several days in June of last year after arriving in the kingdom to perform the Umrah pilgrimage. The circumstances of that detention were also not publicly clarified.