Islamic State Recruitment Drive in Central Asia
Recent intelligence shared in the United Nations reveals concerning developments in the recruitment efforts of the Islamic State in Central Asia.
Recruitment of Top Militants
The Islamic State offshoot based in Afghanistan has been actively recruiting top militants from Jamaat Ansarullah, an extremist Islamist group in Tajikistan, as well as individuals from other countries in Central Asia.
Incident in Moscow
Three out of four suspected terrorists involved in the recent attack at a Moscow concert hall, the deadliest terror attack in Russia in decades, are reported to be Tajik nationals. During interrogation, one of the suspects was heard speaking Tajik.
Claim of Responsibility
The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the Moscow attack, viewing it as a significant strike against Russia. The group released footage showing the attackers opening fire on concert attendees.
Recruitment Tactics
The Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) has been actively recruiting Tajiks and other Central Asian ethnicities through various social media platforms, including setting up a Telegram channel for propaganda dissemination.
UN Security Council Report
A report submitted to the UN Security Council highlighted the high concentration of terrorist groups in Afghanistan, with ISKP identified as a significant threat due to its recruitment strategies and ability to project threats beyond the region.
