Is ISIS Preparing to Announce a “Wilayah of Sudan”?

ISIS used the editorial of issue 519—titled “Sudan Between Islam and Nationalism”—to outline its ideological justification for involvement in Sudan. In this piece, the group portrays nationalism as the main obstacle to Islamic unity, labeling it a “satanic phenomenon” and a “remnant of ignorance.” ISIS claims that colonial powers promoted nationalism to distract Muslims from the suffering of fellow believers in other countries.

The group further emphasizes religious loyalty over national identity, suggesting that Muslims bear direct responsibility for events in other Islamic nations. It rejects national sovereignty and borders, calling for their elimination through jihad. ISIS explicitly urges youth from Egypt and Libya to mobilize in support of “Sudanese brothers,” describing Sudan as a “ready battlefield” with “strategic impact across the region.”

This is not the first time ISIS has addressed the Sudanese crisis. In issue 479 of Al-Naba, titled “The Forgotten Sudan,” the group called on Muslims worldwide to intervene, citing ongoing atrocities. In its analysis, ISIS characterizes the Sudanese conflict as a “pagan war” between “infidel factions,” branding both General Burhan’s and General Hemedti’s forces as “enemies of Islam.”

Pro-ISIS users on social media have echoed this narrative, viewing the unrest in Sudan as an opportunity to establish a “Wilayah of Sudan” and expand the group’s operations. Some users have openly called on Muslim youth to join the “ranks of the mujahideen.” A user named “Al-Libi” wrote, “Military operations must begin immediately, and the Wilayah of Sudan must be declared.”

These users describe the Sudanese government as a “tyrannical regime,” seeking to delegitimize its institutions. They label the warring factions as “apostates” and reject any form of compromise with them. Others, adopting a strategic tone, refer to Sudan as “the gateway to Africa,” stressing its geopolitical importance. A user named “Muslim” wrote, “Sudan is the key to ISIS’s expansion in the region, and we must seize this opportunity.”

ISIS supporters also accuse the international community of double standards, claiming that Western powers only intervene when their interests are threatened.

It appears that ISIS is exploiting Sudan’s instability to promote its extremist ideology and recruit fighters, particularly with an eye toward expanding its footprint in Africa. In recent years, the group has increased its presence across the continent, including the Lake Chad Basin (covering parts of Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger, and Chad), Puntland in northeastern Somalia, and northern Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province. Additionally, eastern regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo—such as Beni, Lubero, and Ituri—as well as parts of the Sahel region in central Africa have become active zones for ISIS operations.

Notably, pro-ISIS users—known as Munasirun—have circulated excerpts from these editorials in poster format under brands like Al-Adiyat and Hadm al-Aswar, further amplifying the group’s messaging around Sudan.