Database: Identifiers of Designated Islamic Terrorist Organizations

Islamic Jihad Union

Designated as terrorist by: European Union, United Kingdom, United Nations, United States

Base of operations: Afghanistan, Pakistan, Uzbekistan

Background: START (University of Maryland)
Background: Institute for the Study of Violent Groups

The Islamic Jihad Union (IJU) splintered from the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan in the early 2000s and has since developed its base in Pakistan's Federally Administered Tribal Areas. Originally called the Islamic Jihad Group, the IJU aims to topple Uzbekistan's authoritarian and secular government and establish one based on Islamic law. The organization put itself on the map by attacking government institutions and the U.S. and Israeli embassies in 2004. The IJU, which utilizes suicide bombings, is also active in Afghanistan and has many Western recruits, particularly from Turkish communities in Germany. A plot to bomb German targets was disrupted in 2007.

Islamic Jihad Union Flag	Islamic Jihad Union Flag