Tajikistan’s Jihadist Legacy and Moscow Attack Fallout

The alleged involvement of four Tajiks in a deadly attack in Moscow has stirred profound concerns within Tajik society, shedding light on the enduring risks posed by Central Asia’s jihadist legacy. Despite Tajikistan’s efforts to combat terrorism, stemming from a tumultuous civil war in the 1990s and ongoing cross-border clashes with jihadist groups from Afghanistan, the specter of radicalization persists.

With thousands of Tajik citizens having joined the Islamic State group in Syria and Iraq, fears of reprisals against Tajiks abroad and rising anti-migrant sentiments loom large. Against the backdrop of Tajikistan’s geopolitical concerns regarding Afghanistan’s Taliban regime, President Emomali Rahmon underscores solidarity with Russia, emphasizing that terrorism knows no nationality and reaffirming Tajikistan’s commitment to combating extremist threats.