Database: Identifiers of Designated Islamic Terrorist Organizations

Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan

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.

Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan Emblem	Jundallah Studios