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Uzbek Leader Forms Political Party
WASHINGTON, May 22 (IslamOnline) - Juma Namangani, an Uzbek opposition leader based in Afghanistan has formed a new political party by the name of Hizb-i-Islami Turkestan, or the Islamic Party of Turkestan (IPT), news agencies reported Tuesday.
The Pakistani newspaper Dawn reports that the real aim of the new party is to expand the influence of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU), of which Namangani is chief, to all the Turkic regions of Central Asia. These regions comprise of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and the restive Muslim majority Xinjiang province in China.
The IMU is accused of involvement in "terrorism" by the Uzbek authorities. In 1999, the Uzbek government formally requested the Taliban to extradite Namangani and his second in command, Tahir Yuldashev, for alleged "terrorist" activities in the country. The request was denied.
The IPT established in Deh-i-Dadi in Afghanistan was reportedly launched a few months ago,but its formation was formally announced to the Taliban only last week.
Namangani heads the party from his base at Deh-i-Dahi. Some 3,000 fighters are supposed be in his force and are currently fighting alongside the Taliban against the Northern Alliance in Takhar and Badakhshan provinces of Afghanistan.
The IMU has launched several major rebellions in Kyrgyzstan and within the Ferghana Valley there in the last two years. IMU members have also allegedly involved themselves in hostage taking, including the taking of Japanese citizens. In that incident, they demanded a $2 million ransom and a safe corridor to Uzbekistan.
However, they were finally driven out after joint operations conducted by Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan security forces. But some reports indicate that they have again stepped up activities in the Ferghana Valley area.
The U.S. stated last year that it believed the IMU might be linked to Osama bin Laden.
IMU bases in Afghanistan reportedly have fighters participating in their effort from several ethnicities, including Chechens, Arabs, Pakistanis and Chinese Uighur Muslims.
According to observers, the IPT was formed merely to provide political cover for IMU activities. They also point to the change in the name of IMU from a "movement" to a "party", possibly indicating an attempt by its leaders to legitimize the Islamic movement in Central Asia.
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