Monitoring Desk: Syrian land has become a nursery for global terrorists for nurturing radicalization among Muslim youth and the presence of terrorists such as Sayfiddin Tajibayev in Syria indicates threats being faced by the Central Asian State in the future, explains a Special Report titled “Sayfiddin Tajibayev’s Role in the Syrian Defence Apparatus: Repercussions for Tajikistan and Central Asia”.
The Report expressed concerns over threats coming from Afghanistan that facilitate cross-border movements, potentially enabling cooperation between extremist groups in Afghanistan and Central Asia, sharing resources and expertise to strengthen their operations.
The report says:
“On January 3rd, 2025, Tajik bloggers close to Hay’at Tahir al-Shams posted on their social media pages that Sayfiddin Tajibayev had become the newly appointed commander of Qaid Amaliyat fil-Livo, or head of the Operational Headquarters in the emerging new Syrian government’s Ministry of Defence. Tajibayev, a former commander in Jamaat al-Tawhid wal-Jihad and Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, has a history of recruiting Tajik citizens for militant activities. His appointment reflects a strategic effort by Syria’s transitional government to incorporate experienced foreign fighters into its defence structure, reportedly assigning six of fifty senior defence roles to non-Syrian militants. This decision raises concerns over the militarisation and legitimization of extremist leaders within state institutions”.
It is pertinent to remember that Tajikistan had been a victim of radicalization and Jihadi activities during the 90s when the Afghan Taliban established an Islamic Emirate first time in Afghanistan and jihadi used to cross the border and fight Jihad (civil war phase of Tajikistan) thereby providing foot soldiers, resources and weapons from Afghanistan. Since the second rule of the Taliban in Afghanistan, Tajikistan has been raising its voice that terrorist organizations were gathering inside Afghanistan and entire Central Asia is at risk of turbulence that it faced during the 90s under the Taliban’s first rule.
The Report indicates that Jihadis are fanning the ethnic divide in Afghanistan and creating a fertile ground for extremist ideologies. The Report added that Afghan bordering Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO) remains vulnerable, where ethnic divide fosters vulnerability to radicalization. Tajikistan’s government has long struggled to counter the appeal of groups such as the Islamic State, whose propaganda efforts include publications in local languages, including the recent Tajik version of “Voice of Khorasan”.
The Report feared that there is a possibility that Tajibayev’s leadership could draw more Central Asian extremists to Syria for training, enabling the spread of terrorist activities in Central Asian States.
Risk Scenarios in Tajikistan and Central Asia mentioned in the Report include:
- Central Asian fighters returning from Syria may utilize their combat experience to build clandestine support networks within Tajikistan
- Ideological radicalization through propaganda glorifying Central Asian foreign fighters could lead to increased recruitment and sympathizers, intensifying security challenges across the region.
- Tajikistan’s proximity to Afghanistan facilitates cross-border movements, potentially enabling cooperation between extremist groups in Afghanistan and Central Asia. Fighters could target vulnerabilities in neighboring states, prompting a regionalization of their activities. This could increase reliance on external powers for security, undermining regional sovereignty and cohesion.
The Report demanded enhancing regional collaboration on counterterrorism, fostering stronger security integration and resilience against shared threats.
