Sudan’s Burhan in Omdurman to ‘Erase Traces of Attempted Coup’, Raise Morale

Army commander Abdulfattah al-Burhan during a military tour in January. (Sovereign council)
Army commander Abdulfattah al-Burhan during a military tour in January. (Sovereign council)
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Sudan’s Burhan in Omdurman to ‘Erase Traces of Attempted Coup’, Raise Morale

Army commander Abdulfattah al-Burhan during a military tour in January. (Sovereign council)
Army commander Abdulfattah al-Burhan during a military tour in January. (Sovereign council)

The Sudanese army announced that its commander Abdulfattah al-Burhan inspected frontlines in the Omdurman military zone and other locations north of the city amid reports of a coup attempt and the arrest of powerful officers, who are probably loyal to Islamists within the army.

Burhan met with member of the sovereign council Yasser al-Ata during the inspection, while media reports said the “unofficial” purpose of his visit was “to remove all traces of the alleged military coup and detain several officers who were involved.”

A statement from the sovereign council on Thursday said Burhan was briefed on the military operations and inspected army and civilian locations as locals “spontaneously” flocked to welcome him.

The military locations he inspected are among the most vital for the army and from where it launches its operations against the Rapid Support Forces.

The army denied claims of the coup, but acknowledged the “arrest of officers”. Some supporters of the military made light of the development, saying the officers were detained for “complaining” about the army’s military plans.

Three officers of medium rank were arrested.

During his inspection, Burhan stressed the armed forces’ commitment to treating the wounded and “uprooting the cancerous rebellious militia and its mercenaries” - a reference to the RSF.

He added that the people and armed forces were united in ending the rebellion.

Military sources said Burhan’s visit sought to raise morale among the troops, eliminate traces of the coup, “or at least ease the fallout from the arrest of the officers.”

Lieutenant-Colonel Maash al-Tayyeb al-Malkabi told Asharq Al-Awsat that the only party capable of carrying out a coup during the current circumstances was the “officers from the Islamist movement” because they are the only ones boasting a “trusted communications network”.

The detained officers confirmed this when they were interrogated, he added.

Moreover, he said that the fact that officers affiliated with the Islamists attempted a coup demonstrates that the organization is displeased with the military operations and is working against democracy and civilian rule.

The army kept the coup attempt under wraps, demonstrating that it knew about the plot in advance, he went on to say.

The Darfur 24 daily quoted a senior officer as saying that military intelligence discovered the plot on February 1. It was supposed to take place a day later and in coordination with other groups from Khartoum Bahri and Port Sudan.

The plot also included the arrest of several military commanders, including Burhan himself.

At any rate, various sources confirmed that the complaints are rising in the army over how operations are being carried out. It remains to be seen if Burhan’s visit will be enough to ease the tensions.



Top Houthi Leaders Flee Sanaa Amid Trump-Ordered US Strikes

Top Houthi leaders disappear from Sanaa, communication cut off (Houthi Media)
Top Houthi leaders disappear from Sanaa, communication cut off (Houthi Media)
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Top Houthi Leaders Flee Sanaa Amid Trump-Ordered US Strikes

Top Houthi leaders disappear from Sanaa, communication cut off (Houthi Media)
Top Houthi leaders disappear from Sanaa, communication cut off (Houthi Media)

Senior Houthi leaders have disappeared from public life in Sanaa, gripped by fear of US airstrikes ordered by President Donald Trump, now entering their third week, sources in Yemen said.

The first-tier leadership of the Iran-aligned group is believed to have fled the capital, which remains under Houthi control, seeking shelter in remote areas of Saada and Amran provinces.

According to informed sources, the group’s leaders have severed traditional communication channels and several have either gone into hiding or relocated to undisclosed locations as a precaution against possible targeted strikes.

Since the launch of US airstrikes on March 15, senior and mid-level Houthi leaders have vanished from public view and social media platforms, Yemeni sources say, as fear of targeted attacks continues to grow within the group’s ranks.

Informed sources confirmed there has been no trace of the group’s top two tiers of leadership - neither in the institutions under Houthi control in Sanaa, nor on the streets and neighborhoods they once frequented in luxury vehicles.

Even the sectarian events that Houthi leaders were known to regularly attend have reportedly gone on without their visible presence.

The Houthi group has remained tight-lipped about the extent of its human and military losses following US airstrikes ordered by Trump.

However, sources say several leaders not belonging to the ruling family of Houthi leader Abdulmalik al-Houthi are still believed to be in Sanaa.

Many of these figures have adopted strict security measures to avoid detection, including travelling in vehicles with tinted windows and covering their faces with cloaks when leaving temporary residences, sources told Asharq Al-Awsat.

The precautions reflect growing fears of betrayal or being targeted by further strikes.

A source in Sanaa revealed that third-tier Houthi officials—mostly tribal figures and field supervisors—were instructed to flee to the northern provinces of Saada, Amran and other areas as US air raids intensified.

According to the source, mid-level Houthi officials have lost all direct contact with the group’s senior leadership after the latter switched locations and shut down their communication lines.