Gulmurod Khalimov: Difference between revisions
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|birth_place =[[Varzob]], [[Tajik Soviet Socialist Republic|Tajik SSR]], [[Soviet Union]] |
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|birth_name = Gulmurod Khalimov |
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|allegiance = {{flag|Tajikistan}} (1993–2015)<br />{{flag|Islamic State}} ( |
|allegiance = {{flag|Tajikistan}} (1993–2015)<br />{{flag|Islamic State}} (2015–current) |
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|branch = [[Ministry of Internal Affairs (Tajikistan)|Ministry of Internal Affairs]] |
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'''Gulmurod Salimovich Khalimov''' ({{lang-tg|Гулмурод Салимович Ҳалимов}}) |
'''Gulmurod Salimovich Khalimov''' ({{lang-tg|Гулмурод Салимович Ҳалимов}}) is a [[Tajikistan|Tajik]] and [[Islamist]] military commander. A [[lieutenant-colonel]] when commander of the police special forces of the [[Ministry of Internal Affairs (Tajikistan)|Interior Ministry]] of Tajikistan until 2015, he has since defected to the [[Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant]] (ISIL).<ref name="joins">{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-32917311 |title=Tajikistan special forces chief Gulmurod Khalimov 'joins IS' |work=[[BBC]] |date=28 May 2015 |accessdate=9 September 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2015/05/28/the-u-s-trained-commander-of-tajikistans-special-forces-has-joined-the-islamic-state/|title=The U.S.-trained commander of Tajikistan’s special forces has joined the Islamic State|publisher=|accessdate=30 July 2016}}</ref> In September 2016, he was reported to have been appointed as the minister of war of ISIL in place of [[Abu Omar al-Shishani]]; his appointment had not been announced by ISIL for fears that he might be targeted in airstrikes by the [[anti-ISIL coalition]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://uk.news.yahoo.com/isis-us-trained-tajik-special-150308829.html|title=Isis: US-trained Tajik special forces chief Gulmurod Khalimov becomes Isis 'war minister'|work=International Business Times|publisher=Yahoo! News|date=6 September 2016|accessdate=18 January 2017}}</ref> On 8 September 2017, the Ministry of Defence of Russia reported that Khalimov was killed during a Russian airstrike in [[Deir ez-Zor]]. There was no confirmation from the U.S.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/russia-claims-killing-of-is-minister-of-war-in-syria/|title=Russia claims killing of IS ‘Minister of War’ in Syria|date=8 September 2017|publisher=[[The Times of Israel]]|language=Russian|accessdate=8 September 2017}}</ref> and Khalimov remains on the U.S. State Department's [[Rewards for Justice]] wanted list.<ref>https://rewardsforjustice.net/english/gulmurod_khalimov.html</ref> |
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==History== |
==History== |
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==Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant== |
==Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant== |
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Khalimov disappeared in late April 2015 and resurfaced on 28 May 2015 in an ISIL video.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-tajikistan-idUSKBN0OD1AP20150528|title=Commander of elite Tajik police force defects to Islamic State|date=28 May 2015|publisher=|accessdate=30 July 2016|via=Reuters}}</ref> Although hundreds of Tajiks had already joined ISIL by this point, Khalimov's defection was an "unprecedented case" due to his being a successful, high profile officer and part of the establishment<ref name="joins" /> rather than the poor, from whom |
Khalimov disappeared in late April 2015 and resurfaced on 28 May 2015 in an ISIL video.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-tajikistan-idUSKBN0OD1AP20150528|title=Commander of elite Tajik police force defects to Islamic State|date=28 May 2015|publisher=|accessdate=30 July 2016|via=Reuters}}</ref> Although hundreds of Tajiks had already joined ISIL by this point, Khalimov's defection was an "unprecedented case" due to his being a successful, high profile officer and part of the establishment<ref name="joins" /> rather than the poor, from whom Islamsist groups mostly recruit. According to regional expert Deirdre Tynan, Khalimov's defection was nevertheless symptomatic, as "there is an element of doubt in people within the [Tajik] civil and security services about what is the trajectory of their countries" and increasing support for radical religious ideologies.<ref name="Police Commander" /> Khalimov was the most prominent of the more than 2,000 Tajiks reported to have joined ISIL.<ref>{{cite news|title=Tajikistan’s crackdown on observant Muslims intensifies|url=https://www.economist.com/news/asia/21729451-beards-veils-madrassas-and-arabic-sounding-names-are-all-banned-tajikistans-crackdown-observant|accessdate=24 September 2017|work=[[The Economist]]|date=21 September 2017}}</ref> |
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After joining ISIL, Khalimov travelled to [[Syria]], where he was reportedly appointed war minister, and became an important recruiter for the group. In July 2017, four of his relatives in Tajikistan were killed and three arrested by security forces; according to the government, they were ISIL supporters.<ref name="minister of war" /> |
After joining ISIL, Khalimov travelled to [[Syria]], where he was reportedly appointed war minister, and became an important recruiter for the group. In July 2017, four of his relatives in Tajikistan were killed and three arrested by security forces; according to the government, they were ISIL supporters.<ref name="minister of war" /> |
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===Tajik reaction=== |
===Tajik reaction=== |
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Tajik Prosecutor-General Manuchehr Makhmudzod announced on 29 May 2015 that a probe had been opened into Khalimov's activities. The Prosecutor-General's Office said on June 3 that Colonel Gulmurod Khalimov |
Tajik Prosecutor-General Manuchehr Makhmudzod announced on 29 May 2015 that a probe had been opened into Khalimov's activities. The Prosecutor-General's Office said on June 3 that Colonel Gulmurod Khalimov is wanted for crimes including high treason and illegal participation in military actions abroad. "Acting for mercenary means, he joined the international terrorist organization calling itself Islamic State," the statement said.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rferl.org/content/tajikistan-is/27045624.html|title=U.S. Confirms Training Tajik Ex-Police Commander Who Joined IS|first=|last=RFE/RL|date=30 May 2015|publisher=|accessdate=30 July 2016|via=Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rferl.org/content/tajikistan-police-commander-islamic-state-treason/27051207.html|title=Tajik OMON Commander Wanted For Treason|first=RFE/RL's Tajik|last=Service|date=3 June 2015|publisher=|accessdate=30 July 2016|via=Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty}}</ref> |
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===US and UN sanctions=== |
===US and UN sanctions=== |
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On 29 September 2015 he was made subject to sanctions by the [[United States Department of State]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2015/09/247433.htm|title=Designations of Foreign Terrorist Fighters|publisher=|accessdate=30 July 2016}}</ref> He was also made subject to sanctions by the [[United Nations Security Council]] Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee on 29 February 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.un.org/sc/suborg/en/sanctions/1267/aq_sanctions_list/summaries/individual/gulmurod-khalimov|title=Gulmurod Khalimov - United Nations Security Council Subsidiary Organs|publisher=|accessdate=30 July 2016}}</ref> |
On 29 September 2015 he was made subject to sanctions by the [[United States Department of State]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2015/09/247433.htm|title=Designations of Foreign Terrorist Fighters|publisher=|accessdate=30 July 2016}}</ref> He was also made subject to sanctions by the [[United Nations Security Council]] Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee on 29 February 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.un.org/sc/suborg/en/sanctions/1267/aq_sanctions_list/summaries/individual/gulmurod-khalimov|title=Gulmurod Khalimov - United Nations Security Council Subsidiary Organs|publisher=|accessdate=30 July 2016}}</ref> |
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In August 2016, the United States Department of State issued a $3 million USD bounty on Khalimov under |
In August 2016, the United States Department of State issued a $3 million USD bounty on Khalimov under it's [[Rewards for Justice]] program.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/aug/31/state-dept-offers-3m-reward-for-gulmurod-khalimov-/|title=State Dept. offers $3M reward for U.S.-trained Tajik officer who went rogue for ISIS|publisher=Washington Times|accessdate=31 August 2016}}</ref> |
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====Death==== |
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On 8 September 2017, Khalimov was killed during a Russian airstrike in [[Deir ez-Zor]], possibly along with [[Abu Muhammad al-Shimali]], with unconfirmed reports of the attack using Russia's largest non-nuclear bomb.<ref name="monitor" /> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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[[Category:Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant members]] |
[[Category:Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant members]] |
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[[Category:1975 births]] |
[[Category:1975 births]] |
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[[Category:Living people]] |
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Revision as of 20:26, 9 March 2018
Gulmurod Khalimov | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Gulmurod Khalimov |
| Born | 14 May 1975 Varzob, Tajik SSR, Soviet Union |
| Allegiance |  Tajikistan (1993–2015) Islamic State (2015–current) |
| Service | Ministry of Internal Affairs |
| Rank | Lieutenant colonel (Tajikistan) War minister (ISIL) |
| Commands | OMON (Tajikistan)[1] Military of ISIL |
| Battles / wars | Tajikistan insurgency Syrian Civil War |
Gulmurod Salimovich Khalimov (Template:Lang-tg) is a Tajik and Islamist military commander. A lieutenant-colonel when commander of the police special forces of the Interior Ministry of Tajikistan until 2015, he has since defected to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).[2][3] In September 2016, he was reported to have been appointed as the minister of war of ISIL in place of Abu Omar al-Shishani; his appointment had not been announced by ISIL for fears that he might be targeted in airstrikes by the anti-ISIL coalition.[4] On 8 September 2017, the Ministry of Defence of Russia reported that Khalimov was killed during a Russian airstrike in Deir ez-Zor. There was no confirmation from the U.S.[5] and Khalimov remains on the U.S. State Department's Rewards for Justice wanted list.[6]
History
Early life
He was born 14 May 1975 in Varzob, Tajikistan, then part of the Soviet Union.[7]
Service with the Tajik security forces
Khalimov eventually joined the Tajik security forces, was trained as sniper[8] and rose to lead the Tajik OMON special forces;[1] in this position, he was considered to be "one of the best trained officers in the country". He helped the government to repress Islamist extremists during the Tajikistan insurgency.[2] From 2003 to 2014, Khalimov participated in five counterterrorism training courses in the United States and in Tajikistan, through the United States Department of State's Diplomatic Security/Anti-Terrorism Assistance program.[9]
Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant
Khalimov disappeared in late April 2015 and resurfaced on 28 May 2015 in an ISIL video.[10] Although hundreds of Tajiks had already joined ISIL by this point, Khalimov's defection was an "unprecedented case" due to his being a successful, high profile officer and part of the establishment[2] rather than the poor, from whom Islamsist groups mostly recruit. According to regional expert Deirdre Tynan, Khalimov's defection was nevertheless symptomatic, as "there is an element of doubt in people within the [Tajik] civil and security services about what is the trajectory of their countries" and increasing support for radical religious ideologies.[1] Khalimov was the most prominent of the more than 2,000 Tajiks reported to have joined ISIL.[11]
After joining ISIL, Khalimov travelled to Syria, where he was reportedly appointed war minister, and became an important recruiter for the group. In July 2017, four of his relatives in Tajikistan were killed and three arrested by security forces; according to the government, they were ISIL supporters.[8]
Tajik reaction
Tajik Prosecutor-General Manuchehr Makhmudzod announced on 29 May 2015 that a probe had been opened into Khalimov's activities. The Prosecutor-General's Office said on June 3 that Colonel Gulmurod Khalimov is wanted for crimes including high treason and illegal participation in military actions abroad. "Acting for mercenary means, he joined the international terrorist organization calling itself Islamic State," the statement said.[12][13]
US and UN sanctions
On 29 September 2015 he was made subject to sanctions by the United States Department of State.[14] He was also made subject to sanctions by the United Nations Security Council Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee on 29 February 2016.[15]
In August 2016, the United States Department of State issued a $3 million USD bounty on Khalimov under it's Rewards for Justice program.[16]
References
- ^ a b c Andrew Roth (30 May 2015). "Police Commander From Tajikistan Appears in ISIS Video". The New York Times. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
- ^ a b c "Tajikistan special forces chief Gulmurod Khalimov 'joins IS'". BBC. 28 May 2015. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
- ^ "The U.S.-trained commander of Tajikistan's special forces has joined the Islamic State". Retrieved 30 July 2016.
- ^ "Isis: US-trained Tajik special forces chief Gulmurod Khalimov becomes Isis 'war minister'". International Business Times. Yahoo! News. 6 September 2016. Retrieved 18 January 2017.
- ^ "Russia claims killing of IS 'Minister of War' in Syria" (in Russian). The Times of Israel. 8 September 2017. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
- ^ https://rewardsforjustice.net/english/gulmurod_khalimov.html
- ^ "Counter Terrorism Designations". Retrieved 30 July 2016.
- ^ a b "IS 'minister of war' killed in Syria air attack, claims Russia". Middle East Eye. 8 September 2017. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
- ^ Dugald McConnell; Brian Todd. "Man who joined ISIS trained in the US". CNN. Retrieved 30 July 2016.
- ^ "Commander of elite Tajik police force defects to Islamic State". 28 May 2015. Retrieved 30 July 2016 – via Reuters.
- ^ "Tajikistan's crackdown on observant Muslims intensifies". The Economist. 21 September 2017. Retrieved 24 September 2017.
- ^ RFE/RL (30 May 2015). "U.S. Confirms Training Tajik Ex-Police Commander Who Joined IS". Retrieved 30 July 2016 – via Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty.
- ^ Service, RFE/RL's Tajik (3 June 2015). "Tajik OMON Commander Wanted For Treason". Retrieved 30 July 2016 – via Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty.
- ^ "Designations of Foreign Terrorist Fighters". Retrieved 30 July 2016.
- ^ "Gulmurod Khalimov - United Nations Security Council Subsidiary Organs". Retrieved 30 July 2016.
- ^ "State Dept. offers $3M reward for U.S.-trained Tajik officer who went rogue for ISIS". Washington Times. Retrieved 31 August 2016.