The Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) Anounces the "Martyrdom" of Commander Tohir Yuldashev

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Last Updated (Monday, 23 August 2010 11:28) Written by Laith Alkhouri Monday, 23 August 2010 10:47

On August 17, 2010, the official spokesman of The Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) Abdulfattah Ahmadi released a statement confirming previous reports concerning the death of the group's founder and Amir Muhammad Tohir al-Farooq (Tohir Yuldashev). According to the statement, Yuldashev was killed a year ago along with a number of other fighters from the group, and the statement describes his death as "a disaster." Moreover, Ahmadi explains the reason behind keeping the news about the death of Yuldashev secret, stating "we kept the news private to avoid weakening the determination and self-esteem of Muslims," adding that the group has not lost "its dynamism and political and military stance in the world." Additionally, Ahmadi endorsed Taliban military operations, which "each day see the collapse of the forces of disbelief, and the happy days grow nearer for Muslims, especially the Muslims beyond the river," referring to the fighters in the Af-Pak region.

The IMU was founded in 1991 by ethnic Uzbeks Tohir Yuldashev and Juma Namangani with the aim of overthrowing the regime of president Islam Karimov in Uzbekistan, and establishing an Islamic-Sharia based governance. The movement has close ties to the Taliban and Turkistan Islamic Party (TIP).

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