The Southern Turkestan Movement is a militant group that seeks independence for the Turkic tribesmen in the region of Southern Turkestan in Afghanistan. The group, also known as the Turkestan Freedom Tigers [1][2] or the Wolf of Jawzjan[3] is believed to be loyal to Yar Mohammad Dostum, the son of General Abdul Rashid Dostum, leader of the National Islamic Movement of Afghanistan.[4][5] On 29 June 2022, a group of fighters announced the formation of the Movement in a one-minute video circulated on the Internet.[6] The commander of the group explains in the video that they will fight the Taliban and protect the rights of the Turkic peoples. The group is composed of Uyghurs, Tajiks, Uzbeks, Turkmens, and other Turkic peoples.
| Southern Turkistan Movement | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Foundation | 2022 |
| Country | Afghanistan |
| Motives | Promoting the development of a distinct Southern Turkistan State |
| Ideology | Separatism |
The Southern Turkestan Movement began its activities on February 8, 2022,[7][8] with an attack on a Taliban checkpoint in the Qara Kint neighborhood of Sheberghan. Four Taliban members were killed and two others were wounded in the attack. After the clash ended, the attackers wrote the words "Long live the Turkestan Freedom Tigers" on the checkpoint wall and fled the area.[9] The Southern Turkestan Movement is believed to be active in the Jawzjan and Faryab provinces, in Afghanistan. Some experts have suggested that the group may be linked to Turkish intelligence agencies.[10][11]
Despite its stated goals, the Southern Turkestan Movement has not demonstrated the ability to carry out significant attacks against the Taliban government or to conduct large-scale operations.[citation needed] It is unclear how much support the group has among the local population or what its long-term prospects are for achieving independence.[citation needed]
References
edit- ^ "What Happened to the Northern Alliance in Afghanistan?".
- ^ "Australian Government Department of Home Affairs Common Claims Afghanistan Country of Origin Information Services Section (COISS) Effective from 10 June 2022" (PDF).
- ^ Ahmadi, Ali Shah (2022-05-08). "NRF in Panjshir Claims Irreparable Damage on the Taliban, But The Taliban Rejects Ground Realities". Hasht-e Subh Daily. Retrieved 2022-12-27.
- ^ "Infographic: Anti-Taliban Groups in Afghanistan". Islamic World News. 6 July 2022. Retrieved 2022-12-27.
- ^ "Infographic: Anti-Taliban Groups in Afghanistan". makhaterltakfir.com. Retrieved 2022-12-27.
- ^ Garofalo, Daniele. "Resistance movements in Afghanistan are unanimous in overthrowing the Taliban and creating a democratic State". danielegarofalo.substack.com. Retrieved 2022-12-27.
- ^ "(Video) "Dzhabhat Turkestan Janubi" (South Turkestan [Turkistan] Front) Forms In Opposition of Taliban (IEA) in Balkh Mazar-i-Sharif Province, Afghanistan - 30 June 2022". TRAC. Retrieved 2022-12-27.
- ^ Research, Security Risks (2022-05-20). "Mapping Afghan Resistance Movement". Security Risks Asia. Retrieved 2022-12-27.
- ^ "Institute for the Study of War". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 2022-12-27.
- ^ "Emergence of two anti-Taliban groups in Afghanistan". Islamic World News. 12 February 2022. Retrieved 2022-12-27.
- ^ "TRACKING DISORDER DURING TALIBAN RULE IN AFGHANISTAN" (PDF).