Popular Defence Forces

The Popular Defence Forces is a paramilitary force of Sudan established by the 1989 Popular Defence Forces Act. Whilst a part of Sudan's military under international law due to being created by statute, the force is defined by the 1989 Act as being a semi-military force to be formed from Sudanese citizens.

The force has close links with the National Islamic Front, and was originally formed as a dedicated Islamist militia. The force now largely operates as a reserve force for the Sudanese Armed Forces.

In 2004, the Federal Research Division of the Library of Congress estimated that the Popular Defence Forces consisted of 10,000 active members, with 85,000 reserves. It has been deployed alongside regular army units against various rebel groups.