NEFA Foundation Report: The Islamic Jihad Union (IJU)

By Evan Kohlmann

The NEFA Foundation has released a new report by NEFA Director of Analysis and Research Ronald Sandee titled "The Islamic Jihad Union." The Islamic Jihad Union was founded by breakaway fighters from the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan in March 2002 in Pakistan’s Tribal Areas. The organization initially called itself the Islamic Jihad Group, but, after failed attacks in Uzbekistan in 2004 and early 2005, changed its name and became closer to core al-Qa’ida. Since then, the organization’s focus has shifted, as the IJU began plotting terror attacks in Pakistan and Western Europe, especially Germany. Based in Mirali in South Waziristan, the IJU is training Western recruits for attacks in the West. The recruits are mainly Turks from Turkey and Turkish communities in Western Europe, but also Muslim converts from Europe. Although the IJU currently does not seem to be terribly effective in the execution of its operations, it remains a force to be reckoned with.

The full report can be viewed on the NEFA Foundation website.

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