In the last decade, Central Asia has witnessed a strong return to its ancient Islamic roots. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, many Muslim countries contributed funds, aid that was a welcomed part of their newfound democratic system but may have contributed to radicalization, to Kyrgyzstan (among others) to stand-up schools and mosques. Most Central Asian countries practice a moderate interpretation of Islam. Yet, the region’s democracies are tainted by reports of human rights abuses and oppression carried out by intolerant governments. As noted in these pages, the US Department of State, in conjunction with the EU and UN, has labeled Uzbekistan as authoritarian and lacking in essential civil liberties . The new measures against the increasing Islamic militancy in the region are clear. Central Asian governments are joining forces against regional extremists to strengthen their domestic authority, which could be threatened by the increasingly popular support these dissident groups are gaining. However, it is also noticeable that crackdowns by the regimes are prompting anger and frustration, breeding extremism.
Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan is haunted by a history of political violence and terrorism. Terrorist activity, especially in southern and western provinces, continues to threaten stability. Attacks have often targeted foreigners and police forces. The Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU; Group Profile) is particularly active in the region, and incursions have included suicide bombings and kidnappings.
Following 9/11 , Kyrgyzstan, like its Central Asian neighbors, sought to align itself with the Global War on Terror (GWOT), seeking funds and support from the western leaders to battle domestic threats. The west, particularly the United States , worked to establish border security and counterterrorism entities to hamper the influx of Islamic fighters fleeing Afghanistan and seeking safehavens. In an interview, Foreign Minister Muratbek Imanaliyev said, “The anti-terror campaign, the destruction of the Taliban [Group Profile], the war with terrorist groups including al Qaeda [Group Profile] were very serious elements for peace and stability. This is why Kyrgyzstan supported the forces of the United States and other countries. We are extremely interested in this war “(source).
A series of conferences and forums held throughout the region highlighted preemptive efforts. A recurrent exhortation was the importance of fortifying the rule of law in addition to addressing social and economic issues that added to the rise of extremism and the region’s broader security problems.
The Ferghana Valley, which straddles Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan , is known for its difficult political and economic conditions and has been a safehaven for terrorists. Its cross-regional borders facilitate the mobility of militant groups. The poor societal circumstances allow for fertile recruitment grounds, particularly for groups that are seeking to rearm after defeats in Afghanistan and elsewhere in Central Asia.
Authorities in Kyrgyzstan have seen a fast rise in militancy, as groups such as IMU and Hibz-ut-Tahir expand (source). Consequently, Kyrgyzstan has stepped up its counterterrorism efforts. However, their apparent apathy with human rights violations has awakened outrage across the region. These abuses, much like cases in Chechnya, stir up fury and disillusionment that could push local populaces toward the radical’s cause.
Just last week, a joint operation of Kyrgyz and Uzbek forces in southern Kyrgyzstan killed a leading Uzbek Imam (source). Rafiq Qori Kamoluddin led the well-known Kara-Suu mosque where up to 10,000 people gather for Friday prayers (source). Kamoluddin was outspoken and supported certain militant groups, arguing that they were allowed to pray in his mosque as much as any other Muslim as long as they did not engage in any form of propaganda while there: “Muslims should pray for the ‘misguided’ rather than turn them away” (source). Kamoluddin denied involvement with the extremist group and was cherished by thousands of Muslims in the region. After his death, Kyrgyz officials released a statement asserting that he was a “terrorist” involved with the extremist group IMU, without substantiating their claim. The outrage over his death has been highly manifested in the last days, with vocal protests and calls for justice.
Kyrgyzstan’s enforced security operations and their alliance to Uzbekistan and other regional governments seem to go against the West’s early initiative of strengthening security services while enforcing the rule of law and guaranteeing abidance to international human rights regulations. Kyrgyzstan’s counterterrorism initiatives may prove counter-productive, as the local situation is likely to inflame and breed further extremism.
