Death Of Islam Karimov And The Future Of Islamism In Central Asia: Case Study Of Islamic Movement Of Uzbekistan

Abstract

Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) is deemed as the most lethal terrorist organization throughout Central Asian region. Although it emerged in 1998, its roots can be traced back to the era right after the demise of former Soviet Union. This Movement was created to launch an armed struggle against Islam Karimov’s regime in Uzbekistan. IMU, however, could not make solid bases in Uzbekistan and remained engaged in Tajik civil war between 1992 and 1997. After the General Peace Accord of 1997 singed between the rival groups which ended the Tajik Civil War, Uzbek militants had no choice but to move to Taliban ruled Afghanistan. The US led attack in Afghanistan after 9/11 forced the remnants of Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan to take refuge in the FATA region of Pakistan. IMU’s focus was primarily targeting Western forces in Afghanistan. However, when Pakistani government initiated a military action in FATA against the terrorists in 2004, IMU joined its hands with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). After this union IMU started its operations in mainland Pakistan and Afghanistan. It also supported Islamists to siege Swat in 2007. From attacks on armed forces bases in Karachi and Peshawar to jail break in Bannu and from attacks on Karachi, Peshawar and Quetta airports to kidnapping for ransom, IMU had played central role in terrorist activities in Pakistan. Similar kinds of activities have been carried out by IMU in Afghanistan as well. The IMU has least focus on Central Asia for the time being and is more engaged in Afghanistan and Syria. It has joined its hands with global Islamic militant organizations. It has close relationship with Islamic State (IS) and majority of its top leadership has joined the later. The death of Mullah Omar has led to the fragmentation of IMU in different groups. One group is pro-Taliban and al-Qaeda while other supports Islamic State. IMU has helped IS to group in northern Afghanistan especially in Faryab and Zabul provinces, which are the strongest hold of later in the entire Central-South Asian region. This paper will discuss the history, objectives and operational capabilities of the IMU. It will also explain the current nexus of IMU with the IS and its impacts on the broader regions of Central and South Asia besides possible future of the group especially after the death of Islam Karimov.