Terrorism in Tajikistan

The Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) is up to trouble again.

“A suspected terrorist set off a grenade, killing himself and an officer and heavily injuring two policemen in the Tajik northern city of Isfar, a source at the Tajik Interior Ministry told Itar-Tass on Friday.” (from ITAR-ITASS news agency)

Also- “Republic law enforcement agencies are concerned about the growing activity of religious extremists and terrorists in the northern areas,” Tajik Interior Minister Khumdin Sharipov told a press conference. He said over 40 members of the Hizb-ut-Tahrir Party and more than 20 members of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan have been arrested in the country’s north since the beginning of this year. The minister accused them of two explosions in the center of Dushanbe last year and an armed attack on a Tajik border post this June.”

It is about that time of year. I wonder (I do not know for sure) if the growing activity in connected to what is going on in Lebanon and the recent visit of Mahmud Ahmadinejad? I don’t think there is a conspiracy, but the current violence in the Middle East could be angering the IMU and giving them an excuse to cause trouble.

It is interesting to note that the grenade attack occured on the same day that Abdullo Uldoshev, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan was in India attending a meeting with the Indian delegation about ways to counter terrorism.

Pan-Persian/Pan-Turkish Conspiracy Theories

The recent visits to Tajikistan and Afghanistan has many conspiracy theorists worried.
From BakuTODAY.net:

” Iran’s president Mahmud Ahmadinejad met leaders of Afghanistan and Tajikistan in Dushanbe. According to president Ahmadinejad the meeting was very important for all three countries and it will help them expand their relations even further.
After the meeting Mr. Ahmadinejad said that the three countries share the same language and this helps them solve their social and economic problems easily.

The Iranian president said: “We, the Persian-speaking nations should have the same economy, culture, and art.” Introducing Iran as a Persian-speaking country by Mr. Ahmadinejad has caused sharp criticism by Iran’s large Azerbaijani community. His remarks have been heavily criticized by some of the websites of ethnic Azerbaijanis in Iran.”

Ahmadinejad is giving millions to aid Tajikistan and many are complaining that he is spending the money while Iranians starve. The two countries already built a tunnel connecting their borders.

Creating a pan-Persia (pan-Iranianism) might be part of the reason for the investing. The theory is that Ahmadinejad wants a strong pan- Iranian state complete with nuclear capabilities. That is one theory. But it is said that Ahmadinejad is an Azeri Turk and a Pan-Turkist.

Do I believe in the pan-Persian or Pan-Turkism conspiracy theories? No. I believe that Ahmadinejad’s true enemy is the West, mainly Israel. I believe that is the true reason why he visited Tajikistan and Afghanistan. Here is a quote from an article from the Iran Daily:
“Iran can and must certainly play a more effective role in the strategic region by strengthening all-round ties with the littoral states.
By exerting its influence through a strong presence in regional energy projects and in other arenas, it could stall the Americans, who are keen on establishing military bases, from making further inroads into the region.
Tehran is aware that with the closure of the US military base in Uzbekistan the Pentagon is seeking to set up shop in Tajikistan on the pretext of fighting terrorism and drug trade in Afghanistan.”

It is like watching a game of Risk.