The Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) is a Central Asian terrorist organization that has carried out series of attacks in countries like Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan for years. With the ultimate goal of creating a Central Asian Caliphate, the IMU, even in its current weak state, is a regional threat. A military solution to this problem appears to be the likely answer. Regional powers like the Russian Federation and China should be militarily involved in Uzbekistan, along with Uzbek and neighboring forces in order to defeat the IMU militarily. This will promote greater integration among these countries and eliminate a violent organization which could become a destabilizing factor if not dealt with.
Notes
* The author would like to thank Thomas Boudreau, Ph.D., professor at the School of International Service, American University and the anonymous peer reviewer of this journal.
1. Also see Ruzaliev, The Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan.
2. Also see Zviagelskaia, The Russian Policy Debate on Central Asia p.6. Researcher Graham Fuller explains that ‘in the end, Moscow is likely to prefer authoritarian leadership in the new Central Asian states precisely because it does offer a chance to ‘keep the lid on’ and avoid turmoil.
3. The six members of the SCO are China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Russia.
4. Rashid, The Rise of Militant Islam in Central Asia p.78. The map of the Ferghana Valley Region shown in Figure 1 has been reproduced with the permission of ENVSEC. See < www.envesec.org> see also < http://www.envsec.org/centasia/maps/ferghvalv3.pdf>
5. Rashid, The Rise of Militant Islam in Central Asia p.78. Uzbekistan's 279,375 miles touch the borders of all the other Central Asian states. In addition, ethnic Uzbeks make up 69 per cent of 25 million citizens. This gives it a reasonable degree of homogeneity. Ethnic Uzbeks also make up sizable minorities in other nations: 23 per cent in Tajikistan, 13 per cent in Turkmenistan, 13 per cent in Kyrgyzstan as well as two million in Afghanistan and 25,000 in China's Xinjiang province.
6. Khojaev later adopted the name Juma Namangani.
7. Burges, In the Spotlight: Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan.
8. Burges, In the Spotlight: Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan. Yuldeshev has met bin Laden, who recognized the Uzbek as a potential ally in Central Asia (a region where Al Qaeda has few contacts), and cultivated him as such. Namangani and Yuldeshev decided to move their operations to Afghanistan in 1997 in the face of fresh crackdowns in Uzbekistan, provoked by a series of bloody murders attributed to Uzbek Islamic extremists.
9. Burges, In the Spotlight: Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan. The IMU's creation was even announced from Kabul by Namangani, and Yuldeshev was also given a residence in Kandahar, where Mullah Muhammad Omar, the Taliban's spiritual leader, lived. Moreover, the ceasefire in Tajikistan made it an unreliable sanctuary, while the Taliban made natural allies for Yuldeshev and Namangani, not least in that Karimov was supporting the anti-Taliban forces in Afghanistan.
10. Carlson, Kyrgyzstan: US State Department Warns Against IMU Threat.
11. Also see Miller, The Narco-Insurgent Nexus in Central Asia and Afghanistan, and Rashid, Pamirs offer IMU Secure Base, and Rashid. The Rise of Militant Islam in Central Asia pp.154–55.
12. Burges, in the Spotlight: Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan. Yuldeshev has gone through a networking odyssey around the world's Islamic states, visiting Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Turkey. He also met with various intelligence agencies, requesting funds and sanctuary. He received both from Pakistan's Interservices Intelligence, and was based in Peshawar from 1995 to 1998. It has been claimed Yuldeshev was also funded by intelligence services and Islamic charities in Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Turkey. He also met with Chechen rebel leaders during the first Chechen war of 1994–96, as well as establishing underground cells of the Adolat party across Central Asia which would be crucial in the IMU's campaigns five years later. Given the funds the IMU has, in addition to Karimov's growing unpopularity, as well the diaspora of former Taliban fighters who might settle in Uzbekistan and seek employment, the IMU certainly could make an explosive comeback in coming years.
13. The Call to Jihad by the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, in Rashid, Jihad: The Rise of Militant Islam in Central Asia, Appendix pp.247–49.
14. Roy, ‘Islamic Militancy’, in Searching for Peace in Central Asia p.104.
15. Lewis, David, ‘Uzbekistan: Authoritarianism and Conflict’, in Searching for Peace in Central Asia pp.193.
16. Razgulev, Yuri, Islamic Movement of Uzbek Republic assault Kyrgyztan's frontiers, Pravda, RU, Bishkek, Kyrgyztan. 8 July 2001. Available at: http://english.pravda.ru/main/2001/08/07/11983.html
17. Lewis, ‘Uzbekistan: Authoritarianism and Conflict’, in Searching for Peace in Central Asia pp.194.
18. US Military Intelligence Analyst. Interview, Aug., 2004. The officer explains that ‘It is true the recent attacks have been claimed by the IMU, at least indirectly. President Karimov, himself, has repeatedly announced that it was the Islamic group, Hizb-ut-Tahrir. Nonetheless, the attacks both in March and now in late July fit the IMU's modus operandi. The name may be a smoke screen as well as individual members and/or factions of the original grouping running separate operations. The number of possibilities is indeed limited, but the functionality of these same possibilities is very much the same. An example of this musical chairs of name changes may be evident in an recent example with a group called the “Islambouli Brigades of al-Qaeda” that claimed responsibility for the July 30 attack on Pakistan's next incumbent Prime Minister to be, Shauket Aziz’.
19. Rotar, Tajik Officials Warn of Rising Islamic Activity in their Country.
20. Slim, Randa M, ‘The Ferghana Valley: In the Midst of a Host of Crises’, in Searching for Peace in Central Asia pp.147.
21. Roy, ‘Islamic Militancy’, in Searching for Peace in Central Asia pp.104.
22. For a good and concise history of Uzbekistan, see Melvin, Uzbekistan. Also see Everett-Heath, Central Asia: Aspects of Transition.
23. Kasymova, Uzbekistan and the Challenges of Creating a Regional Security System within Central Asia p.4.
24. Islam Karimov became leader of the Uzbek Communist Party in 1989 in face of major civil unrest and protests in the Ferghana Valley. He was chosen by the Supreme Soviet as Executive President in 1990, later becoming President through elections in 1991, at the same time that the Uzbek Socialist Soviet Republic (UzSSR) declared independence from the Soviet Union. In 1995 a referendum extended his rule for another five years. He was re-elected in 2000 and, in 2002, a referendum allowed him to extend presidential rule from five to seven years.
25. Melvin. Uzbekistan pp.31.
26. The Economist , ‘Inside the Valley of Fear’.
27. Petrou, A Land of Little Hope.
28. Petrou, A Land of Little Hope.
29. Karimov, Anvar, The Repression that Follows Repression. Transitions Online, 20 June, 2005.
30. ‘Uzbekistan's Troubled Farm Reforms’, IPWR No.433. Also see ‘Uzbekistan's Industrial Powerhouse falls on Hard Times’, Reporting Central Asia, IWPR No.435.
31. An example of this can be found in Peterson, ‘Why Uzbek Women Opt for Bombs’.
32. Military Technology pp.220.
33. Military Technology pp.220.
34. Narodnoye Slovo , ‘The pick of Uzbek youth selected for army’.
35. Regnum, ‘Uzbek ministry boasts of bully-proof army’.
36. McDermott, ‘Karimov seeks stronger Military forces’.
37. UzReport.com ‘Uzbek Troops to undergo anti-guerrilla training in India’. Also see Doordarshan DDTV, ‘Indian counterinsurgency school training US, Mongolian, Uzbek forces’.
38. ITAR-TASS News. Russia wants military cooperation with Uzbekistan-Ivanov.
39. ITAR-TASS News. Russia wants military cooperation with Uzbekistan-Ivanov.
40. ITAR-TASS News. Russia wants military cooperation with Uzbekistan-Ivanov.
41. Krasnaya Zvezda , ‘The prestige of military services increases in Uzbekistan’.
42. US Military Intelligence Analyst. Interview on Aug. 2004.
43. Blank, ‘Russia and China in Central Asia’, in Blank et al (Eds). Imperial Decline, pp.40–41.
44. Zviagelskaia, The Russian Policy Debate on Central Asia p.3.
45. Zviagelskaia, The Russian Policy Debate on Central Asia p.3.
46. Uzbekistan, then known as the Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic (SSR) was created in 1924. The country was originally the union of territories like the Bukharan People's Soviet Republic, the Khorezmian People's Soviet Republic and the Turkestan ASSR. Turkmenistan was created the same year, Tajikistan in 1929 and Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan in 1936.
47. India has been very active in Central Asia. Recently India's Prime Minister Dr Manmoghan Singh visited Uzbekistan. See The Asian Age, ‘Indian PM to visit Uzbekistan’. Another example of India's expansion is New Delhi's decision to help rebuild an air base in Tajikistan. There are rumors that the Indian Air Force was planning to deploy MiG-29 fighter jets at the Tajik Aini base, some 20 kilometers (12 miles) west of the Tajik capital Dushanbe. See Walsh, ‘India Flexes its Muscle with First Foreign Military Base’.
48. Central Asia: Islamist Mobilization and Regional Security, ICG p.26. In early 2001, Russia is reported to have been involved in the airlifting of up to 250 IMU members out of Tajikistan into Afghanistan.
49. Especially natural gas.
50. Curtis, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. In Uzbekistan for example, out of a population of 22 million, two million are Russians.
51. Chellam, ‘Japan Fumes Over China's Deal with Yukos’ p.7. Russian number two oil major Yukos sealed a 25-year deal to supply Chinese flagship CNPC with 600,000 barrels per day of oil via a $2.5 billion pipeline starting in 2005.
52. Chellam, ‘Japan Fumes Over China's Deal with Yukos’ p.7. Russian number two oil major Yukos sealed a 25-year deal to supply Chinese flagship CNPC with 600,000 barrels per day of oil via a $2.5 billion pipeline starting in 2005.
53. Kabar news agency, ‘Kyrgyzstan gives USA until 1 June to agree to new terms of air base's presence’.
54. RFE/RL NEWSLINE, ‘Russian Commander confirms plans to boost Kyrgyz Base’.
55. RFE/RL NEWSLINE, ‘Russian Commander confirms plans to boost Kyrgyz Base’.
56. Pannier, ‘Kyrgyzstan: Russia, US Military Bases on opposite tracks’. It is important to note that the US also has a military presence in Kyrgyzstan, namely in the base at Manas. Also see Socor, Russian Augmenting Air Base in Kyrgyzstan. Hangars and barracks are being upgraded at the Russian base, and new ones are under construction to accommodate additional planes and personnel at Kant. The scheduled net increase for 2006 is 100 per cent for aircraft and 50 per cent for personnel. Thus, the base is slated to host some 260 commissioned officers, at least 500 contract and conscript troops, and a minimum total of 25 planes and helicopters by the end of this year. The air assets will add up to a mix of Su-25 and Su-27 fighter-bombers along with obsolete An-26 transport planes and Mi-8 helicopters. Also see Associated Press, ‘Troops Celebrate Thanksgiving in Kyrgyzstan’.
57. Marat, Erica, ‘Bishkek welcomes expanded Russian military presence in Kyrgyztan’.
58. RIA Novosti, ‘Russia for building up Kyrgyzstan base – Putin’.
59. RIA Novosti, ‘Russia to deploy plane's at Tajikistan's Aini Airbase’.
60. Nougayrède, Les désertions de soldats se multiplient dans l'armée russe. The article gives an example of how 24 conscripts deserted in Saint Petersburg and ran to a local committee of ‘Mothers of Soldiers’ in search for refuge.
61. RIA Novosti, ‘Putin demands to react strict on cases of barracks hazing in the armed forces’.
62. Bendersky, ‘Keep a Watchful Eye on Russia's Military Technology’.
63. Krasnaya Zvezda, ‘The bet is on Russian Air Technics’. Also see ‘Russia delivers missiles to Belarus’.
64. Voyenno-Promyshlenny Kurier, ‘Russia will upgrade the Egyptian Kvadrat small-range antiaircraft complexes’.
65. Varlamov, Igor, ‘Mexico plans to purchase Russian Su-27 jets’.
66. Reuters, ‘Chavez May buy Russian Aircraft’.
67. RIA Novosti, ‘Putin for increased spending on military upgrades’.
68. Interfax-AVN, ‘Russian speaker urges increased spending on army modernization’. Also see: ITAR-TASS, ‘United Russia calls for more investment in defense industry’.
69. ITAR-TASS News, ‘Russia's air force to modernize Tu-160 strategic bombers’.
70. Poroskov, Competitor-Fighters.
71. RIA Novosti, ‘Modernization of submarine fleet a priority – Navy commander’.
72. Artyushin, ‘Russia concentrates on airborne troops modernization – Ivanov’.
73. McDermott, ‘New Russian Commander for 201st Motorized Rifle Division in Dushanbe’. The Russian ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to Tajikistan, Ramazan Abdulatipov, attended the meeting and both sides discussed holding more joint military exercises involving the Russian military base and the Tajik power-wielding structures. These discussions also involved promoting efforts to further the exchange of experience and information in the fight against international terrorism as well as strengthening the Tajik–Afghan border and developing more opportunities for the training of Tajik security personnel in Russian establishments. ‘The Russian military base is and will always stay in Tajikistan as a guarantor of peace and stability and as a reliable security outpost in the Central Asian region’, explained Rahmonov during the talks.
74. A prevalent issue in the Russian armed forces today is the debate between a conscript vs a professional army. See RFE/RL NEWSLINE, ‘Defense Minister Stands by draft’.
75. RFE/RL NEWSLINE, ‘Uzbekistan Hosts SCO Drill’.
76. RFE/RL NEWSLINE, ‘Uzbekistan Hosts SCO Drill’.
77. Blagov, ‘Russia and China pledge to boost Security ties’. The exercises are due to involve special forces from China's Public Security Ministry and Russia's Interior Ministry, as well as Russian Interior Ministry Forces.
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