Ismat Abdel-Rahman Explained

Ismat Abdel Rahman Zine al-Abedin
Native Name:عصمت عبدالرحمن زين العابدين
Serviceyears:Unknown - 2013
Rank:Colonel General
Commands:Sudanese Armed Forces
Battles:Sudan internal conflict (2011–present)
Sudan – South Sudan Border War

Colonel General Ismat Abdel Rahman Zine al-Abedin is a retired Sudanese Army officer who previously served as Chief of Staff of the Sudanese Armed Forces.

Career

AbdelRahman served as Chief of Staff during the Sudan – South Sudan Border War, and threatened to punish South Sudan for damaging oil infrastructure in Heglig.[1]

It was reported by unnamed sources to the Sudan Tribune that Zain narrowly escaped death in May 2013 when his convoy came under attack by the Justice and Equality Movement in South Kordofan.[2]

The Sudanese Armed Forces spokesman Colonel al-Sawarmi Khalid Sa’ad announced Zain's retirement on 20 June 2013, claiming he had reached retirement age.[3]

Zain el-Abideen handed over control of the Armed Forces to Lt. Gen. Mustafa Osman Obeid Salim at a handover ceremony on 25 June 2013. The changeover followed an attempted coup in November 2012, and also several military setbacks in the Sudan internal conflict, particularly in North Kordofan.[4]

Notes and References

  1. News: 24 April 2012 . Bashir orders army to avenge South Sudan’s attack on Heglig, "purge" borders of rebels . Sudan Tribune .
  2. News: 31 May 2013 . Sudanese top military official comes under rebel attack during visit: sources . Sudan Tribune .
  3. News: 21 June 2013 . Sudan announces major reshuffle in top army posts . Sudan Tribune .
  4. News: 25 June 2013 . New Sudan armed forces chief after rebel attacks . The Daily Star .