In the past year, jihadists from Tajikistan have been making headlines for their involvement in a high number of terrorist attacks or foiled plots linked to the Islamic State. The suspects in the recent storming of a concert hall near Moscow were Tajiks, adding to a string of bloody assaults in Iran and Turkey, as well as thwarted schemes in Europe.
Analysts point to three main reasons why Tajiks are vulnerable to recruitment by extremist groups. Firstly, Tajikistan ranks among the world’s poorest countries, driving millions of workers to seek better opportunities abroad. Many end up in Russia, where discrimination, low wages, and isolation make some susceptible to jihadist recruiters.
Secondly, the country’s authoritarian president, Emomali Rahmon, has ruled Tajikistan with an iron fist since 1994, extending his term for life. The government’s tight control over how Islam is practiced has pushed some Tajiks towards extremist views, especially after the crackdown on opposition groups like the Islamic Renaissance Party.
Lastly, curbs on religious freedom in Tajikistan, including restrictions on public displays of piety and bans on group religious instruction at home, have created a fertile environment for online recruitment campaigns targeting Tajik men. These efforts glorify the exploits of those killed fighting for ISIS-K, which aims to battle the West.
The combination of poverty, authoritarian rule, and lack of religious freedom has made Tajiks easy targets for extremist groups like ISIS-K. As the international community grapples with the rise of terrorism, it is crucial to address the root causes driving individuals from countries like Tajikistan towards radicalization.
