Eastern Arab Corps | |
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Active | Founded in the late 19th century |
Country | Sudan |
Allegiance | Sudan Defence Force |
Engagements | East African campaign |
Commanders | |
Notable commanders | Mohammed Mahmoud Effendi |
The Eastern Arab Corps was an armed unit that formed the nucleas of the modern day Sudanese Armed Forces. [1] Founded by Beni Amer tribesmen in Eastern Sudan during the late 19th century, the Eastern Arab Corps emerged as a formidable armed unit with bases in Kassala and Gedaref respectively. [2]
The Eastern Arab Corps represents a key institution in the formation and development of the Sudanese Armed Forces. Originating in the 1890s as a founding unit of the Sudan Defence Force, the Eastern Arab Corps was spearheaded by Beni Amer tribesmen of the Eastern Sudan. The insignia of the Eastern Arab Corps was the Shotal, a famous curved dagger used in Eastern Sudan. [2]
With bases strategically located in Kassala and Gedaref, the Eastern Arab Corps was composed of infantry, mounted (horseback and camel company), and machine gun units to address a range of military challenges. [2] The Eastern Arab Corps operated with two distinct sub-units, the Idara and Hagana. These units undertook missions ranging from maintaining internal order in the country, patrolling the borders with neighbouring nations and actively participating in international warfare such as the East African campaign. During World War II, the Eastern Arab Corps was involved in warfare on the global stage, as it actively took part in the East African campaign against the Italians. The opening days of the conflict belongs to the Eastern Arab Corps as it was staged in their country, and the opening blows were rightly theirs to strike. [3]
The Sudanese Armed Forces are the military forces of the Republic of the Sudan. In 2011, IISS estimated the forces' numbers at 109,300 personnel. The CIA estimates that the SAF may have up to 200,000 personnel. While Al Jazeera Media Network report that's the Sudanese Armed Force have around 300,000 personnel.
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The East African campaign was fought in East Africa during the Second World War by Allies of World War II, mainly from the British Empire, against Italy and its colony of Italian East Africa, between June 1940 and November 1941. The British Middle East Command with troops from the United Kingdom, South Africa, British India, Uganda Protectorate, Kenya, Somaliland, West Africa, Northern and Southern Rhodesia, Sudan and Nyasaland participated in the campaign. These were joined by the Allied Force Publique of Belgian Congo, Imperial Ethiopian Arbegnoch and a small unit of Free French Forces.
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the supreme military and civil command in Sudan shall be vested in one officer, termed the Governor-General of Sudan. He shall be appointed by Khedival Decree on the recommendation of Her Britannic Majesty's Government and shall be removed only by Khedival Decree with the consent of Her Britannic Majesty's Government.
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