MOSCOW: Uzbek fighters from an Al-Qaeda-linked militant organisation have thrown their support behind the militant Islamic State (IS) group controlling swathes of territory in Syria and Iraq.
A top leader for the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU), an ally of the Taliban that has been mainly based in Pakistan's tribal belt since the US-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, announced its backing for IS.
“Hereby, on behalf of all members of our movement, in line with our sacred duties, I declare that we are in the same ranks with the Islamic State in this continued war between Islam and [non-Muslims],” Usman Gazi wrote in an online statement on Sept 26.
Gazi praised the Islamic State for its refusal to recognise state borders and said he hoped the group would soon take control of Palestine and the Muslim holy cities of Makkah and Madina.
“Islamic State is free from the patriotic or nationalist agenda ... you can see Arabs, Chechens, Uzbeks, Tajiks, Kyrgyz, Russians and many English-speaking Muslim mujahidin (fighters) in its ranks,” Gazi said.
Know more: Pakistani Taliban declare allegiance to IS militants
Set up in the late 1990s, the IMU is listed as a terrorist group by the United States. According to the United Nations, some of its leaders have held top positions in Al-Qaeda.
The group claimed its fighters were involved in a brazen attack on the international airport in Karachi, Pakistan, that killed 37 people in June.
Extremist group IS has seized large parts of Syria and Iraq, declaring a “caliphate” in June and imposing its harsh interpretation of Islamic law.
The group has been accused of carrying out widespread atrocities including mass executions, abductions and torture, as well as forcing women into slavery.
It is currently facing a campaign of air strikes by a US-led coalition that includes Britain, France and a number of Arab countries.



Comments (36) Closed
An ideology which is not inclusive of all human groups will not succeed in today's world.
Another fanatic .
Tough time ahead for pakistani moderate muslims and women. Still more tough times ahead for india because now itself the screams of innocent victims of terrorism inside pakistan are unbearable. Lets hope against hope.
IS would be wiped out.
nice .soon s.arabia will be attacked by isis.the devil they created will eat the creator
It is really alarming for all the Middle East States specially Bahrain, UAE and Saudi Arabia. All need to take immediate steps for enhancement of their defense capabilities to counter the threat.
Babar the first Mughal was an Uzbek too.
Birds of same feather flock together . All islamic militant groups have same agenda .
All these cia/mossad/raw sponsored mercenaries, aka "Islamic warriors" are joining hands.
They are trying get cities of Makkah and Madina. Not Israel
The difference between TTP and IMU is that the Uzbek's are better fighters. ISIS, Taliban and IMU all share the same ideology and all like to behead people.
Uzbek declare support for Islamic state, a message to ISIS through Dawn.
Zarb e Azb is here to destroy militants of all hue and colour. We support Army for this brave effort! Every sane human being would support Pak Army in this war against militarism and destructive ideology.
@zain InshAllah!
@Sunil I agree
I don't understand why Dawn publishes the déclarations of these banned terrorist organizations!
Please don't give them such exposure!
@Taimoor Khan Grow up & talk & think like a human being Stop these stupid conspiracy theories & eliminate this evil
Thank you Dawn (very rarely do I say that) for keeping every one informed about how wide spread this ideology is and how it is being united under one umbrella. A smart move by these so called militants. Whatever little knowledge I have, I feel that one cannot reason with these people. They are well supported financially and very well equipped. The only thing they needed was a piece of land which they have now. I hope that American alliance will be able to uproot and destroy them
@logic Sorry, not conspiracy theories. Do you know that the leader of IS was in Israel for a year and trained there? Probably not. Monster created by the Zionists, and Qataris are now out of control.
@Arshad stop believing everything you hear.
Can't Dawn give any good news and optimist. Journalism can play a vital role in development of society. However Dawn has nothing good to show but publishing these terrorist sayings.
@Arshad Wow, "IS leader trained in Israel"!!! And just where did you dream up that conspiracy theory (notably with NO supporting references as usual)!!!
I do hope they go towards Palestine so their equally violent and merciless Israeli brothers can sort them out.
What about Uighar Muslims ?. Don't they support IS ?.
@Taimoor Khan
very easy tp blame isreal usa india for everything wake up before these isis are at yr door step
@Arshad
great if created by isreal why targeting iraq kurds syria - are they isreal enemies ?? what does israel gain ? israel only has issue with palestine
Heroic move by TTP not appreciated by Islamic world. Another character created by non Muslims to mislead Islam. They talk about Makkah and Madina, they will face Creator's vengeance. We must enhance our capabilities to overcome and vanish their strength by permanent strategy. Allah give us strength to face evil with courage.
Soon Chinese ujjahirs will also join in and then let's see how the game the unfolds
@ashok kumar lal Amen to that to date they remain untouched and even play the good guys as well but their deeds will catch up with them
funny how most of them always hide their faces?
@Arshad I guess you have details about his training in Israel since you are a high ranking Mossad member. Please share them with up humbler human being too. Also, how come the Qataris and Israelis collabarated to create ISIS when Qatar is supporting Hamas against Israel (the former Emir of Qatar even visited Gaza a few years back and pledged hundreds of millions of dollar in aid)?
If media keeps highlighting these terrorists in such an attractive way then sooner or later we will find such atrocities & brutalities in friendly neighborhood. Media is neglecting that violence has aroused in almost every part of the world specially in Pakistan.
@Taimoor Khan.You guys are joke.I pity you.Always blame others for self made problems.As you sow so shall you reep
I hope both groups are completely destroyed.
Its a group that thrives on unsuccessful losers who have not acheived anything in life. 99% of people who have joined are the ones who are lonely and are disabled in finding happiness anything else in life. When you say god is the almighty, does he need his own creation to protect him? Stupid people without any logic
@Yousuf - There seems to be no good news out of Pakistan.