From Egypt to Yemen.. The Muslim Brotherhood’s Dark Legacy: Wars, Coups, and Shattered Nations

Founded in Egypt in 1928 by Hassan al-Banna, the Muslim Brotherhood has long sought to export its ideological vision across borders, transcending national and nationalist contexts, in an endeavor to dominate state and societal institutions through various methods. This has sparked widespread debate about its role in deepening crises in the region.

Sudan: Authoritarian Rule and Fragmentation

The Brotherhood’s rise to power in Sudan via Omar al-Bashir’s 1989 coup marked a turning point. Al-Bashir’s regime, accused of systemic corruption and marginalizing ethnic and regional groups, presided over economic decline and heightened internal tensions. These policies are widely seen as contributing to South Sudan’s secession in 2011, a stark illustration of the fractures deepened during Brotherhood-aligned rule.

Palestine: From Unity to Factionalism

While the Palestinian cause historically united Arab and Muslim communities, the Brotherhood’s affiliate, Hamas, has been a polarizing force since its 2007 takeover of Gaza. Analysts argue that Hamas’s governance, coupled with its militant stance toward Israel, fractured Palestinian unity, transforming the liberation struggle into a source of intra-Palestinian strife and geopolitical manipulation.

Syria: Revolution Hijacked, Chaos Unleashed

Syria’s 2011 uprising began as a grassroots demand for reform but devolved into protracted civil war. The Brotherhood’s early support for armed factions, including hardline groups, amplified sectarian divisions and foreign intervention. Critics saw the group prioritized ideological dominance over reconciliation, leaving Syria mired in a humanitarian catastrophe.

Libya: Militias and Institutional Collapse

Following Muammar Gaddafi’s 2011 ouster, the Brotherhood leveraged alliances with militias to expand its influence in Libya’s fragmented landscape. Their role in deepening the east-west divide has hindered state-building efforts, perpetuating a cycle of violence and governance vacuums.

Yemen: Exploiting Crisis for Influence

In Yemen, the Brotherhood-linked Islah Party has navigated shifting alliances to entrench its presence. Analysts report that the group’s focus on consolidating power—rather than pursuing peace—has prolonged the conflict, exacerbating what the UN calls one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.

A Controversial Legacy

Throughout its history, the Muslim Brotherhood has faced accusations of weaponizing religious rhetoric to advance political agendas, often capitalizing on instability to expand its reach. Many regional observers agree that its actions have complicated efforts to resolve conflicts and achieve cohesion. As debates over its role intensify, calls grow for a reevaluation of strategies to mitigate its impact on Arab societies.