TERRORIST GROUP PROFILES DUDLEY KNOX LIBRARY Naval Postgraduate School

Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU)

Description
Coalition of Islamic militants from Uzbekistan and other Central Asian states opposed to Uzbekistani President Islom Karimov's secular regime. Goal is establishment of Islamic state in Uzbekistan. Recent propaganda also includes anti-Western and anti-Israeli rhetoric.

Activities
Believed to be responsible for five car bombs in Tashkent in February. Instigated two hostage crises in Kyrgyzstan in the fall, including a two-and-one-half-month crisis in which IMU militants kidnapped four Japanese and eight Kyrgyzstanis.

Strength
Unknown, but militants probably number in the thousands.

Location/Area of Operation
Most militants believed to be in Afghanistan in the winter (1999-2000), though some may have remained in Tajikistan. Area of operations includes Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan, and Iran.

External Aid
Support from other Islamic extremist groups in Central Asia. IMU leadership broadcasts statements over Iranian radio.