State Secretary Marco Rubio and the Department of State (DoS) announced on Mar. 9, 2026, the designation of the Sudanese Muslim Brotherhood (SMB) as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT).
In addition, the State Department revealed that it “intends to designate the group as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, effective March 16, 2026,” according to the press statement published on the government website.
“The Sudanese Muslim Brotherhood uses unrestrained violence against civilians to undermine efforts to resolve the conflict in Sudan and advance its violent Islamist ideology,” Secretary Rubio stated.
Secretary Rubio also emphasized Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) role in providing aid to the group.
“Its fighters, many receiving training and other support from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), have conducted mass executions of civilians,” the press release states.
“As the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism, the Iranian regime has financed and directed malign activities globally through its IRGC,” Secretary Rubio proclaimed.
Previously, in September 2025, DoS designated the SMB’s al-Baraa Bin Malik (BBMB) battalion for its role in the Sudanese Civil War.
“The United States will use all available tools to deprive the Iranian regime and Muslim Brotherhood chapters of the resources to engage in or support terrorism,” the statement concludes.
SMB’s BBMB battalion has performed mass civilian executions within areas they have captured based on race, ethnicity, or suspected affiliation with opposition groups.
“Terrorist designations expose and isolate entities and individuals, denying them access to the U.S. financial system and the resources they need to carry out attacks,” according to a fact sheet published on the DoS website.
The designation also blocks all property and interests in property of the SMB that are within the U.S. or that are in possession or the control of a U.S. individual.
“Persons that engage in certain transactions or activities with the Sudanese Muslim Brotherhood may expose themselves to sanctions risk. Notably, engaging in certain transactions with them entails risk of secondary sanctions pursuant to counterterrorism authorities,” the fact sheet continues.
