The organization was formed during the mid-1990s in Kandahar, Afghanistan by Juma Namangani and Tohir Yoldashev [40]. The group was formed with the objective to create an Islamic state in Uzbekistan, but as time passed the objectives became wider and aimed to create an Islamic state across Central Asia. The group is affiliated with Al-Qaeda and Taliban.[41]

[40] Institute for the Study of Violent Groups (ISVG). Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU).Retrieved on: September 24, 2013. Retrieved from: http://vkb.isvg.org/Wiki/Groups/Islamic_Movement_of_Uzbekistan_(IMU).

[41] National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START).Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU).Retrieved on: September 24, 2013.Retrieved from: http://www.start.umd.edu/start/data_collections/tops/terrorist_organization_profile.asp?id=4075.