Category: Uzbekistan

Check out my new article for War on the Rocks: “A Globally Integrated Islamic State”

Posted on by Aaron Y. Zelin

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The Islamic State today looks different than it did five years ago and is far more integrated now as an organization amongst its global network than al-Qaeda ever was. It has been 10 years since the Islamic State announced itself as a caliphate and more than five years since it lost its last vestige of territory in Syria. However, with the Islamic State back in the news due to an increasing external operations capacity (with attacks in Iran, Turkey, and Russia this year as well as numerous broken up plots in Europe), there is a fundamental misunderstanding of how the group operates today. In many ways, it is either incorrectly viewed through the lens of how al-Qaeda operates (a decentralized branch network), since it had previously been a part of al-Qaeda’s global network, or based on how the Islamic State operated when it was at its prior zenith when it controlled territory in Iraq and Syria. It is also likely why some within the U.S. government may have misinterpreted signals intelligence by pushing the idea that the Islamic State leader targeted in Somalia at the end of May, Abd al Qadir Mumin, became the group’s caliph. These changes in the past five years are crucial for policymakers to understand because the way the threat presents itself today will look different from how policymakers dealt with the issue last decade when much of the focus was on the Islamic State’s territorial control in Iraq and Syria.

The most important body for understanding the Islamic State today is its General Directorate of Provinces, which has previously been based in Syria, but new information suggests that at least at the highest levels of it might now have centrality in Somalia. When one understands that structure, the Islamic State’s actions globally make more sense. It is also why we see far more interaction and connection between its various wilayat (provinces) today than in the past. In many ways, the key aspects that animate the Islamic State as an organization (governance, foreign fighter mobilization, and external operations) remain, they have just moved from primarily being based out of or controlled by its location of origin in Iraq and Syria to being spread across its global provincial network. Its aims remain the same, even if the organization has adapted to a changed environment. It is also why the challenge from the Islamic State today is different from the past and why it is in some ways also more resilient now to pressure than before.

This makes the challenge of the Islamic State more difficult from a security perspective than in the past when there was the ability to primarily zero-in on its efforts in Iraq and Syria. Today, only focusing on Iraq and Syria or any other province independent of understanding its connections to other parts of the group’s global network will lead to missing crucial details due to expediency. This is why, although it is understandable that the United States has shifted a lot of its manpower and budgeting to more existential and larger problem-sets such as China and Russia, it would be a mistake to neglect the Islamic State as a continuing, but evolving security challenge. Therefore, it is still useful to continue to have and add more funded government positions across different agencies and departments to focus on tracking this threat to better get ahead of the next surprise. Otherwise, mistakes of misinterpretation will be made as in the past.

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New release from the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s Mawlāwī Amīr Khān Muttaqī: “Speech At the Fourth Foreign Ministers Meeting Among the Neighboring Countries of Afghanistan”

Posted on by Aaron Y. Zelin

Honorable Foreign Ministers of Afghanistan’s neighboring and regional countries, please do accept my highest compliments.

Allow me to express my appreciation for this initiative taken by regional countries, and particularly Uzbekistan, for hosting this round of talks. I also extend my gratitude to countries that exerted efforts for our participation in this meeting.

This initiative expressly shows our joint commitment for the stability, security and economic prosperity of our own region. It indicates that we have a common future and must synergize our efforts to make full use of existing opportunities brought about by the prevalent stability and security, and tackle common threats in a responsible manner. Afghanistan stands ready for close and coordinated engagement with the region.

Excellencies,

We are gathered here today as the pace towards multipolarity has accelerated. The Eurasian continents generally, and our region particularly, will play a key role in this new world order.

Afghanistan, located in an important geostrategic area between West, Central and South Asia, is currently blessed with a committed and responsive government. A stable and secure Afghanistan has the potential of playing a pivotal role in regional security, stability and economic connectivity.

However, decades of imposed wars had not only snatched great economic and commercial opportunities from Afghanistan but the region at large. We now have a window of opportunity to transform Afghanistan into a key economic and commercial partner.

Our expectation remains that regional countries will exert joint efforts to bring about conditions of stability and economic prosperity in Afghanistan so that it may assist Afghanistan in playing a constructive role. We, likewise, are ready to fulfill our obligations as a responsible government.

Excellencies,

We, under no circumstance, will allow Afghanistan to turn into an arena for negative confrontations and illegitimate rivalries.

The recent positive developments in Afghanistan, such as the withdrawal of foreign forces, rise of a powerful central government, law and order, encompassing security, end of corruption, access to judiciary and justice, ban on narcotics cultivation and trade, and the overall positive resolve of the Afghan government have spawned new opportunities for close and meaningful cooperation between Afghanistan and the region.

The groundwork has been laid for Afghanistan to play its role in all regional connectivity projects such as Trans-Afghan Railway, TAPI, TAP, CASA-1000 and the Belt and Road Initiative.

Excellencies,

Let us not overlook that there remain many challenges in our common pursuit requiring us to overcome impediments through joint efforts in order to make proper use of all opportunities for our common region. Afghanistan remains firmly committed to not allowing any group or individual to use the territory of Afghanistan against any regional state or beyond, or to engage in the cultivation and trade of narcotics in Afghanistan. This commitment is not only in words, rather we are practically engaged in serious security and stabilization efforts inside Afghanistan, and have discernable achievements to show.

Nearly two years since the establishment of the current government, no significant security incident has transpired where its roots take source from Afghanistan. We encapsulate Afghanistan’s interests in the framework of regional security, stability and economic connectivity, and this precise discourse can best guarantee the interests of our entire region.

On this basis, regional states must remain vigilant about not allowing their policy towards Afghanistan to fall prey to the negative propaganda and machinations of opposing powers. Rather, Afghanistan must be viewed from the lens of regional security, stability and economic connectivity, and through close observation of ground realities and positive engagement with its authorities. Positive and resolute political, security and economic regional cooperation can prove beneficial in securing both the interests of Afghanistan and the region.

Instability in Afghanistan is not in the interest of anyone as it can become a source for regional instability, narcotics boom, arms proliferation, illegal migration and other challenges.

To end, I again thank the Republic of Uzbekistan for hosting this important meeting. We hope that Afghanistan can represent itself in all future regional formats, initiatives and organizations so that we may jointly realize the full potential of the Asian Century.

Wishing you a great day!

Thank you very much.

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New statement from the Islamic Emirate of Aghanistan’s Zabīh Allah Mujāhid: “Deputy of Islamic Emirate Mullā Baradar Akhūnd Met with the Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan”

Posted on by Aaron Y. Zelin

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Last night the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan Mr. Abdul Aziz Kamolov and Uzbekistan Special Envoy to Afghanistan Mr. Ismatullah arrived at Doha, the capital of Qatar, to meet with the respected Mullah Baradar Akhund and were granted an audience with the deputy of Islamic Emirate and his delegation.

During the meeting the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan expressed his pleasure at meeting the respected Mullah Baradar Akhund and forwarded the respects of his President.

The honorable delegation of Uzbekistan said that they are ready to lend every type of assistance regarding peace in Afghanistan, adding that for the prosperity of the people of Afghanistan, they are willing to invest in economic projects and have no intention of interfering in the affairs of Afghanistan.

The respected Mullah Baradar Akhund thanked the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan and his delegation for coming to meet him.

The respected Mullah Baradar Akhund added that the Islamic Emirate welcomes all steps taken by Uzbekistan for peace and economic development of Afghanistan.

Following long discussions, the meeting ended with prayers for the prosperity and success of both countries.

Spokesman of Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan

Zabihullah Mujahid

27/06/1440 Hijri Lunar

13/12/1397 Hijri Solar 04/03/2019 Gregorian

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Source: Telegram

New video message from Abū Dhar al-Būrmī: "Advice to the Emigrant Brothers in al-Shām, Especially From Turkistan and Uzbekistan, Regarding the Latest Events"

Posted on by Aaron Y. Zelin

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Source: Telegram
To inquire about a translation for this nashīd for a fee email: [email protected]

New statement from the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan: "Greetings to the Islamic Nation on the Occasion of the End of Ramaḍān"

Posted on by Aaron Y. Zelin

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Албатта мақтов Аллоҳгагина хосдир. Ундан нафсимиз ва ишларимизнинг ёмонлигидан
паноҳ тилаймиз. Аллоҳ ҳидоят қилган кишини адаштирувчи , адаштирган кишини эса ҳидоят
қилгувчи йуқдир. Шериксиз , ёлғиз Аллоҳдан бошқа илоҳ йўқдир ва Муҳаммад Унинг бандаси
ва элчиси деб гувоҳлик берамиз . У кишига , аҳлу-оилаларига , асҳобларига ва Қиёмат кунига
қадар уларга яхшилик билан эргашганларга Аллоҳнинг салоти ва саломлари булсин ! Сўнг:
Ассаламу алайкум ва роҳматуллоҳи ва барокатуҳу !
Аллоҳ субҳанаҳу ва таъоло Қуръони Каримда бандаларига бўлган неъматларини баён қилиб айтадики:
{ فَإِنَّ مَعَ الْعُسْرِ يُسْرًا }
{  إِنَّ مَعَ الْعُسْرِ يُسْرًا }
[ سورة الشرح 5 – 6 ]
«Бас , албатта хар бир оғирлик-машаққат билан бирга бир енгиллик ҳам бордир.»
«Албатта хар бир оғирлик-машаққат билан бирга бир енгиллик ҳам бордир.»
( “Шарҳ” сураси 5-6 оятлар)
Албатта хар биримиз Аллоҳ таъолонинг юқоридаги оятларда келган Илоҳий қонунлари ва ваъдаларини ўз хаётимизда кўриб гувоҳи бўлиб келмоқдамиз. Ислом Уммати ўз тарихида кўп маротаба бошидан кечиргани каби бугунги кунларимизда ҳам оғир ва машаққатли имтиҳон-мусибатларни бошидан кечирмоқда.
Шом диёрларидаги мусулмонларни салибчи ва шиа рофизий дин душманлари тарафидан  замонавий қурол-аслаҳалар билан қатлиом қилинмоқда . Ироқнинг мусулмон халқи фақат сунний булганлари учунгина оғир зулмлар билан қатл қилинмоқда. Араканда, Ҳиндистонда, Непалда ва шу минтақаларга яқин бўлган жойларда аёллар, ёш болалар ва қариялар фақат мусулмон бўлганлари учунгина ўз уйларига қушиб тириклайин ёқиб юуборилмоқда. Ўрта Осиё ва Туркистон улкаларида мусулмонларни ўз динларига амал қилмай яшашга мажбур қилинмоқда . Динига амал қилган юз минглаб мусулмонларни эса қамоқларга ташлаб турли азоб уқубатлар билан зулм қилинмоқда  ва ҳаттоки қатл қилинмоқда. Биринчи қибламиз бўлган Масжид Ал-Ақсо атрофидаги мусулмонлар ёшу-қари, аёлу-эркак ажратмасдан Яҳуд бузғинчилари томонидан қатл қилинмоқда ва шаҳар-уйлари вайрон қилинмоқда. Бундай жабр-зулмлар ер юзининг барча жойларида  давом этаябди ва бундай зулмлар туфайли бутун дунё бўйлаб милионлаб мусулмонлар ўз уй-жойларини ташлаб чиқишга мажбур бўлмоқдалар.
Лекин шу билан бирга албатта Ислом Умматига бўлаётган бундай оғир имтиҳон-мусибатлар билан бирга бир вақтни ўзида Аллоҳ субҳанаҳу ва таъолонинг муъмин бандаларига бўлаётган фазлу-марҳаматлари ҳам жуда кўпдир. Авваламбор бундай   оғир имтиҳонларга қарамай муъмин-мусулмонларнинг ўз динларида сабот билан собитқадам бўлиб туришлари бу, Аллоҳ субҳанаҳу ва таъолонинг муъмин-мусулмонларга бўлган фазлу-марҳаматларидандир. Шом диёрларининг мусулмон аҳли ва уларга бутун дунёдан  ёрдамга келган муҳожирлар билан биргаликда кофир ва муртад дин душманларига оғир қақшатқич зарбалар бериб, катта-катта  минтақаларни озод қилиб, кўплаб ғаниматларни қўлга киритишмоқда. Афғонистоннинг қаҳрамон мусулмон халқи эса  мужоҳид-муҳожирлар билан елкама-елка турган холатда салибчилар иттифоқи ва уларнинг  малайларини тор-мор қилиб минтақадан қочиб чиқишга мажбур қилишмоқда ва дини сабабли ҳижрат қилишга мажбур бўлаётган муҳожирларга ҳижрат қила олиш учун замин яратилмоқда. Бундан ташқари  дунёнинг турли минтақалари Мали, Либя, Сомали, Яман, Ироқ , Шмолий Қавқоз, Покистон, Ҳиндистон, Миянма, Филиппин ва бошқа кўплаб минтақаларда мусулмонлар қайта оёққа туриб  даъват ва жиҳодий фаолиятларни ривожлантириб боришмоқда. Ҳаттоки куфр диёрларида ҳам Ислом динига кенг кўламда даъват ишлари олиб борилиб дунё бўйлаб минглаб инсонлар Ислом динини қабул қилишмоқда. Албатта буларнинг барчаси Аллоҳ субҳанаҳу ва таъолонинг фазлидандир.
Аллоҳ субҳанаҳу ва таъолонинг мусулмонларга бўлган мана шундай неъматларидан бири Муборак Рамазон ойи ва фақат шу ойида бўладиган баракотлардир. Алҳамдулиллаҳ , Аллоҳнинг фазли билан Рамазон ойини ҳам ўтказдик. Ёзнинг энг иссиқ ва узун кунларига қарамай очлик ва чанқоқликда машаққат билан Рамазон ойининг рўзаси тутилди. Лекин, бу ойдаги машаққатлар билан бирга бир вақтни ўзида Аллоҳ субҳанаҳу ва таъоло диний ва дунёвий ишларимизда кўплаб баракотларни ато этти. Кўплаб футуҳот ва ғаниматлар қўлга киритилди. Ибодатлар қилиниб улуғ ажр-савобларга эга бўлишга имконлар бўлди. Рўзадорлар учун ваъда қилинган икки хурсандчиликнинг бири бўлган ифторликдан хар куни баҳраманд бўлиб турилди. Чанқоқлик босилди, томирлар ҳўлланди ва Аллоҳнинг изни билан ажр ҳам ҳосил бўлди. Ваниҳоят Аллоҳ субҳанаҳу ва таъолога беадад ҳамду санолар бўлсинки,  мусулмонларнинг икки қувончли байрамларидан Муборак Рамазон ҳайитига ҳам етиб келинди.
Шу муносабат билан Ўзбкистон Исломий Ҳаракати мужоҳидлари, ансор ва муҳожирлари Ислом Умматининг барча мўъмин-мусулмонларини Муборак Рамазон ҳайитлари билан муборакбод этамиз. Аллоҳ субҳанаҳу ва таъолодан мўъмин-мусулмонларни ибодатларини қабул қилиб рўзадорларга ваъда қилинган иккинчи хурсандчиликлари Қиёматдаги ажрларини ҳам комил қилиб беришини, Ислом Умматини бугунги тафриқаларини ислоҳ қилиб саҳиҳ ақида устида бирлашишликларини, имтиҳон-мусибатлари ўрниги фатҳу-ғалаблар келишини сўраймиз.  Аллоҳ субҳанаҳу ва таъоло Ислом Умматининг асирларига нажот берсин, кофир золимларнинг зулмларидан қутқариб аҳлу-оилаларига қайтарсин,  жароҳатланганларга дардга чалинганларга комил шифо ато этсин ва барча муъмин-мусулмонларга хурсандчилик, қувонч, бахт-саодат билан хаёт кечириб дин хизматида собит қадам бўлишликларини насиб этсин. Ислом Умматининг  шаҳидлари