However, dissident Islamist militants led by Tohir Yo‘ldosh and Juma Namangani formed the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan in 1998, allying with Al-Qaeda and vowing to unite Central Asia as an Islamic state.
In contrast, a group of Islamist rebels, headed by Tohir Yo‘ldosh and Juma Namangani, founded the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan in 1998, partnering with Al-Qaeda and vowing to create a unified Islamic state across Central Asia.