战略与国际研究中心-Islam-Islamism-and-Politics-in-Eurasia-Report-IIPER-–-No-63-4-December-2012_23页_522kb

Summary of IIPER No. 63, 30 November 2012

Core Content

This report examines the evolution of Islamic extremism and jihadist activities in Eurasia, with a focus on Russia, Central Asia, and the broader implications of these movements in the context of global terrorism and political instability.

Main Points

Russia: The Caucasus Emirate Goes Global

• The Caucasus Emirate (CE) has been a jihadist organization aligned with Al-Qaeda (AQ) and its affiliates since the mid-1990s.
• In October 2007, the CE replaced the Chechen Republic of Ichkeriya, shifting its focus from nationalism to global jihad.
• The CE has declared jihad against Russia, the U.S., Britain, Israel, and any country fighting Muslims.
• The CE has expanded its operations globally, using the Internet to share ideology, propaganda, financing, and tactics.
• The CE has become a member of the global jihadi alliance, which is described as AQ 2.0, with a network of affiliated and allied groups.
• The CE has been involved in international plots, including:
  • A Belgium-based "Shariah4Belgium" cell planning attacks on NATO targets.
  • A Czech Republic cell linked to the CE's Dagestan Vilaiyat (DV).
  • A 2012 plot in Azerbaijan to attack the Eurovision Festival and the president.
  • A 2012 plot in Spain and France involving Chechens and a Turk, using paragliders or drones to carry out attacks during the London Olympics.
• The CE's DV has also been linked to terrorist activities in Syria, with groups like Jund al-Khilafah (JaK) and Katibatu mukhadzhirin fighting alongside global jihadists.
• The CE's influence has reached Russia's Volga and Urals regions, with reports of Tatar groups joining the cause.
• The 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi is seen as a potential target for the CE, prompting Western cooperation with Russia to counter terrorism.

Central Asia: Concern Over a "New Wave of Terror"

• The Kazakh government has identified extremism as its primary security concern.
• Salafist militant activity has increased in Kazakhstan since 2011, targeting the secular government.
• The Kazakh National Security Committee (NSC) is working with the international community to combat terrorism.
• Deputy Chairman Kabdulkarim Abdikazimov emphasizes the need for preventative measures and anti-terrorist commissions in regions, not just in the capital, Astana.
• Terrorist plots and incidents have been reported in Kazakhstan, including:
  • The assassination plot against Putin involving Ilya Pyanzin and Adam Osmayev.
  • The closure of religious organizations deemed extremist, with one-third of registered groups being shut down.
  • Protests against the law banning prayer rooms in state buildings.
  • Jund al-Khilafah (JaK), a group linked to the CE, has been active in Kazakhstan and Afghanistan, and its emir was killed in Pakistan.
  • JaK is suspected of being composed mainly of Kazakhs and is organized into multiple battalions across countries.
  • Terrorist convictions include individuals involved in attacks on police, planning of bombings, and supporting extremist causes.

Kyrgyzstan

• An imam affiliated with Hizb ut-Tahrir, a banned pan-Islamic political group, was arrested for spreading its ideology.
• A Uzbek insurgent linked to the Islamic Movement of Turkestan, a banned group, was also detained in Kyrgyzstan.

Turkmenistan

• Seven Kazakhs were detained for border trespassing and arms smuggling at the Garabogaz border crossing.

Uzbekistan

• In Ferghana Province, an anti-extremism campaign was launched, including educational sessions for students to raise awareness about radical religious movements.
• The Kuvasay community educated 6th to 9th-grade students on the dangers of extremism, emphasizing the importance of legal religious education.

Key Information

• The Caucasus Emirate is a jihadist organization with ties to Al-Qaeda, and has been operating globally since its formation.
• Extremism is a growing concern in Central Asia, particularly in Kazakhstan, where the government has taken steps to ban extremist groups and close religious organizations.
• The global jihadi alliance includes both official and unofficial groups, and the CE is seen as a key player in this network.
• International cooperation is crucial for countering jihadist threats, especially in the context of NATO's withdrawal from Afghanistan.
• The 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi is a high-profile target for terrorist groups, prompting Western and Russian collaboration.
• Terrorist plots and incidents have been reported in multiple countries, including Belgium, the Czech Republic, Azerbaijan, and Spain.
• The Kazakh government has been increasing its counterterrorism efforts, including military base extensions and cooperation with India.