A recent report published by the U.S. magazine *Foreign Affairs* revealed the Iranian-backed “Axis of Resistance” into Sudan, noting the Houthis’ role in transferring weapons and training Islamist factions within forces allied with the Sudanese army—a development that sheds light on new dimensions of Iranian influence in the war that has been ongoing since April 2023.
The report identifies Sudan as a new arena for the activities of Iran-linked networks, at a time when there are growing indications that the relationship between Tehran and its Sudanese allies is shifting from mere supplies of weapons and drones to the transfer of military and technical expertise to local Islamist factions.
This information takes on particular significance given Sudan’s strategic location on the Red Sea and the historical ties that linked the Sudanese Islamic Movement to Iran and the Revolutionary Guards during the rule of former President Omar al-Bashir.
Training of Islamist Factions
According to a report by *Foreign Affairs*, the Houthis—who, during years of war in Yemen, have developed extensive expertise in the manufacture and use of Iranian drones and weapons—have become part of a broader network for transferring this expertise to other groups outside Yemen.
In this context, Sudan stands out as one of the new theaters of activity for this network.
Foreign Affairs report points to a shift in the nature of the “Axis of Resistance,” as Iran is no longer the sole direct source of weapons and training; the groups that Tehran has supported for decades have now acquired expertise and capabilities that allow them, in turn, to transfer technology and training to other groups. The Houthis represent one of the most prominent examples of this shift. After years of receiving Iranian weapons, training, and expertise,
the Yemeni group has accumulated significant expertise in the manufacture and operation of drones and missiles, gradually transforming into an entity capable of transferring this expertise to other parties.
This means that the Iranian model is no longer based solely on a top-down relationship between Tehran and its allied groups; rather, it has become more complex, such that groups that have acquired advanced capabilities—such as the Houthis—can train and arm other groups on behalf of Iran or in coordination with it.
In the Sudanese context, the evidence suggests that the Islamist factions allied with the army are the likely beneficiaries of this new model.
An Islamist Network Within the Army
Available research suggests that the Houthis’ ties in Sudan are centered on a network of former and current military commanders within the army who are linked to an Islamist movement that played a dominant role in Sudan during the Bashir era.
This network has longstanding ties to Iran dating back to the 1990s and the first decade of the 2000s, when Sudan was one of Tehran’s most prominent allies in Africa.
During that period, extensive military and security cooperation developed between the two countries, encompassing the defense industry as well as the transfer of weapons and expertise.
