Database: Identifiers of Designated Islamic Terrorist Organizations
Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan
Designation Status (as of October 12, 2026)
| US State Dept FTO | Listed Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) since September 25, 2000 |
|---|---|
| US Treasury OFAC SDN (SDGT) | Listed ISLAMIC MOVEMENT OF UZBEKISTAN |
| UK Proscribed | Listed Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) since November 2002 |
| EU Terrorist Lists | Listed Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan |
| Canada Listed Entities | Listed Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) since April 2, 2003 |
| Australia Listed | Not listed official list |
Profile written 2015 The profile below is the original Jihad Intel text and has not been updated. Designation status above is current.
Designated as terrorist by: Australia, Canada, European Union, United Kingdom, United Nations, United States
Base of operations: Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan
Background: START (University of Maryland)
Background: Institute for the Study of Violent Groups
Originally formed with the goal of ousting President Islam Karimov of Uzbekistan and instituting Islamic rule there, the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) has broadened its objectives to include the creation of an Islamic state spanning much of Central Asia, a region it calls "Turkestan." The group has operated out of Tajikistan and Taliban-controlled bases in northern Afghanistan, where it has participated in the fight against Western military forces, almost leading to its own destruction. Surviving members escaped to tribal areas of Pakistan, opened alleged IMU training camps, and are now focused on plans to overthrow the Pakistani government. In 2003, the IMU was involved in a plot to bomb the U.S. embassy and other targets in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. It also claims to have played a major role in the 2014 Karachi airport attack.
The group is now part of the Islamic State's Khorasan Province following a pledge of allegiance in summer 2015.
