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Security

Syrian Forces Intensify Arrests of Uzbek and Foreign Militants in Idlib

Syrian forces under the administration of Ahmed al-Sharaa have escalated their long-running security campaign against foreign fighters in northwestern Syria, targeting individuals affiliated with the Islamic State (ISIS) and other jihadist factions. According to Syrian sources cited by the El Manshar news outlet, the crackdown has gained momentum in recent months, with a focus on detaining commanders and field operatives of various nationalities, particularly in the Idlib region. Among those detained are several Uzbek nationals. In June 2025, security forces in Idlib arrested Ayoub “Abu Dujana” al-Uzbeki, a military trainer, and transferred him to an undisclosed location. In late August, another Uzbek figure, known as Islam al-Uzbeki, was detained during a raid in the Qasour neighborhood of Idlib. On September 3, Syria’s Internal Security Directorate announced the dismantling of an ISIS cell in the Harem area of western Idlib, with all members taken into custody, including fighters from Iraq and Uzbekistan. This is not the first time Uzbek militants have been the focus of security operations. Reports from late 2022 documented more than 20 raids on ISIS-affiliated cells across Idlib province, resulting in the arrests of several Uzbek fighters. Since 2020, forces loyal to Sharaa have also targeted the al-Qaeda-linked “Tawhid and Jihad” battalion, detaining senior figures such as its founder, Abu Saleh al-Uzbeki. Those arrests sparked violent clashes with rival jihadist groups. Analysts suggest the campaign aims to consolidate Sharaa’s authority by bolstering security services, pre-empting the rise of autonomous armed factions, and eliminating groups that resist integration into his command structure. It also appears intended to signal compliance with previous understandings with the United States concerning the handling of foreign fighters in Syria. Despite these efforts, El Manshar notes that extremist groups continue to maintain a limited but persistent presence in eastern Idlib and along the Turkish border. The campaign, therefore, represents a protracted struggle for dominance rather than a definitive resolution of the foreign fighter issue.

Bilateral Relations

Uzbekistan and United States Leaders Discuss Expanding Strategic Partnership

According to the office of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the Uzbek and U.S. presidents held a telephone conversation on Friday, focusing on ways to deepen their countries’ strategic partnership across economic, security, and cultural fields. The details of the call were provided by the Uzbek president’s office. Strengthening Economic Ties The presidential office reported that both leaders emphasized opportunities to expand trade and investment. Bilateral trade grew by 15% in 2024, and the two sides signaled interest in building on that momentum. Prospective projects span civil aviation, mineral resources, energy, agriculture, digital technologies, finance, and education. Later this month, meetings are expected between Uzbek representatives and leading U.S. companies to explore long-term cooperation. Security and Regional Cooperation According to the statement, security issues also featured prominently in the conversation. The two presidents noted ongoing joint work against terrorism, extremism, and illegal migration. They also exchanged views on regional cooperation in Central Asia, highlighting the role of the “C5+1” dialogue format that brings together the United States and five Central Asian countries. Cultural and Humanitarian Exchanges The Uzbek president’s office noted that the discussion touched on expanding cultural and educational links. Branches of U.S. universities are operating in Tashkent, providing new opportunities for academic exchange. Looking ahead, the leaders noted with satisfaction that Uzbekistan’s national football team will participate for the first time in the 2026 World Cup, which the United States will be the main host of. A Growing Partnership Since Mirziyoyev assumed the presidency in 2016, Uzbekistan has pursued a more open foreign policy and a program of internal reforms aimed at modernizing the economy and improving governance. These changes have created new opportunities for cooperation with Washington. The United States, for its part, has supported regional initiatives through the C5+1 framework, while also seeking closer ties with Tashkent in areas such as counterterrorism, economic development, and education. American universities and companies have increased their presence in Uzbekistan, and cultural exchanges have expanded steadily in recent years. Next Steps The president’s office stated that President Mirziyoyev invited President Trump to pay an official visit to Uzbekistan. Both leaders agreed to maintain high-level contacts and continue advancing joint projects and programs. According to the Uzbek president’s office, the conversation was held in a constructive and friendly atmosphere, underscoring a shared interest in further strengthening Uzbek-American relations.

SCO Summit

Mirziyoyev Bets on the SCO to Boost Uzbekistan’s Security and Economy

Tianjin, China - The recent Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit drew wide attention as leaders from across Eurasia convened to emphasize the Organization’s growing importance. For smaller members, the meeting was a chance to show commitment to regional cooperation and alignment with the bloc’s major powers. Uzbekistan, under President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, stood out by using the platform to outline his intention to strengthen engagement within the SCO to advance both economic development and security. Mirziyoyev’s speech stressed solidarity in the face of global uncertainty, institutional renewal to improve effectiveness, and deeper cooperation in areas such as security and nuclear policy. He also endorsed expanding membership, particularly from the Global South, while presenting proposals to boost trade, logistics, and investment. These priorities are consistent with Uzbekistan’s ongoing strategy of aligning its national agenda with the SCO’s broader evolution into a forum with Eurasian and global relevance. Reinforcing Multilateral Solidarity Uzbekistan’s solidarity with the SCO has been in the making for years, as Tashkent aligns parts of its security and economic strategy with the Organization’s framework. In his latest address, Mirziyoyev emphasized the role of solidarity amid rising instability: “A systemic crisis of trust, the escalation of conflicts, the weakening of multilateral institutions, and the fragmentation of the global trading system are undermining the foundations of the international architecture of security and stability. In these circumstances, mutual understanding and solidarity among the SCO member-states are not only a valuable asset, but also the key to preserving peace in our vast region.” While Russia emphasizes the SCO’s role in fostering multipolarity and China focuses on resilient supply chains, Uzbekistan is leveraging the principle of solidarity to safeguard its national interests - reducing dependence on any single power. Uzbekistan is positioning itself within the SCO to align its domestic priorities with broader SCO agendas shaped by Russia’s focus on security and China’s emphasis on economic initiatives. Expanding Membership and External Engagement Mirziyoyev underscored the SCO’s “openness,” identifying expansion as central to its continued development. He welcomed greater engagement with new members and partners, though he did not specify particular regions. Uzbekistan’s growing cooperation with countries such as Iran and Saudi Arabia demonstrates how this vision of openness is taking shape in practice. Tashkent has actively supported Iran’s accession to the SCO and recently signed agreements on transport corridors that connect Central Asia to Iranian ports on the Persian Gulf, facilitating greater trade with Iran. In parallel, deepening ties with Saudi Arabia - particularly through ACWA Power’s renewable energy projects, now among Uzbekistan’s largest foreign-funded ventures - illustrate Uzbekistan’s broader engagement with the Global South in the areas of connectivity and investment. These moves parallel Russia’s and China’s efforts to expand the SCO’s influence beyond its founding region. For Uzbekistan, expansion offers new avenues for trade, energy cooperation, and investment partnerships, while reinforcing its image as a bridge-builder. By publicly supporting this process, Mirziyoyev signaled that Uzbekistan expects wider membership to enhance both the Organization’s and its own standing. Institutional Alignment with the SCO A...

Healthcare

Kazakhstan to Increase Penalties for Attacks on Medical Workers

Kazakhstan is preparing legislative amendments that will significantly increase criminal liability for violence against medical personnel, equating such offenses with attacks on law enforcement officers. The initiative follows a directive from President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who urged the government to take stronger action to protect medical staff amid a growing number of violent incidents. At a recent meeting, Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov reviewed proposals presented by Health Minister Akmaral Alnazarova. The Ministry of Health is drafting legislation that would classify attacks on healthcare workers in the same legal category as assaults on police officers. Proposed measures also include equipping staff with smart video badges, installing comprehensive security systems in hospitals, and deploying permanent police posts in emergency departments. Under the current Criminal Code, an attack on a law enforcement officer is punishable by up to 10 years in prison, while attempted murder carries a sentence of 10 to 15 years with property confiscation. Speaking at a briefing, Minister Alnazarova announced the introduction of a new article in the Criminal Code addressing threats and violence against medical workers. Threats alone could result in up to two years' restriction of liberty. Violence against a single medical worker may carry a sentence of 1 to 10 years, while attacks involving multiple perpetrators or targeting groups of workers could lead to up to 15 years of imprisonment. “These are adequate and necessary measures to protect our medical workers,” Alnazarova said, adding that the bill would be submitted to the Mazhilis, the lower house of parliament, in September. According to the Health Ministry, over 170 cases of violence against doctors, nurses, paramedics, and other healthcare staff have been recorded in Kazakhstan since 2019. “Such incidents must be resolutely suppressed by legal means,” Bektenov emphasized. “I instruct the ministries of health, internal affairs, and justice to develop and submit the necessary legislative amendments to parliament within ten days.” As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, two recent assaults on medical personnel in Kazakhstan resulted in hospitalizations. In response, the health minister issued a public appeal urging an end to violence against medical staff.

Healthcare

White Coats, Red Lines: Kazakhstan Health Minister Demands End to Violence

Kazakhstan’s Minister of Health, Akmaral Alnazarova, has issued a public appeal urging an end to violence against medical personnel, following two brutal attacks on healthcare workers in Karaganda and Kostanay. “Dear citizens of Kazakhstan, I am addressing you as a specialist who has worked as a nurse in a maternity hospital, as a doctor in the emergency room of a children’s hospital, as a duty officer, and as a resident; stop the violence against medical workers!” Alnazarova wrote on Instagram. Two Violent Incidents in One Week In Karaganda, a 42-year-old man accompanying his wife allegedly attacked a nurse at a private clinic, breaking down the door to the staff room and assaulting her. The nurse was hospitalized with a concussion and finger fractures. The assailant was later placed in a psychiatric clinic. Just one day later, on July 17, a young urologist at the Kostanay Regional Hospital was struck in the head by a waiting patient after completing a complex operation. The blow left the doctor unconscious with a skull fracture and brain trauma. He remains in intensive care. The attacker, a 34-year-old man, was detained, and a criminal investigation has been launched. “These are not just acts of aggression, they are direct blows to the entire healthcare system,” Alnazarova said. “This crime means dozens of patients not being admitted, dozens of postponed operations. The emergency room where the attack occurred is already a high-risk area.” Alnazarova emphasized that medical professionals deserve respect and gratitude, not violence. The recent attacks have ignited widespread concern across Kazakhstan’s medical community, with professional associations and hospital administrators calling for urgent reforms. The Kazakhstan Medical Workers’ Union issued a statement expressing solidarity with the victims and demanding swift prosecutions, while several regional hospitals have begun independently reviewing their on-site security protocols. Social media campaigns under hashtags like #ProtectOurDoctors and #SafetyInScrubs have gained traction, signaling growing public awareness that systemic change is needed to ensure healthcare workers can do their jobs without fear. Government Plans Tighter Security Measures The Ministry of Health, in coordination with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, is set to bolster security measures in medical facilities across the country. Plans include deploying round-the-clock security posts at emergency rooms, maternity wards, and children’s hospitals. Facilities will be equipped with surveillance cameras, panic buttons, and enhanced security staff. In parallel, legislative amendments aimed at toughening penalties for violence against medical workers are expected to be submitted to Parliament in September. Alnazarova stated that such crimes should be treated not as domestic incidents but as threats to public safety. Although the Criminal Code was amended in December 2023 to include penalties for harming medical staff, Alnazarova acknowledged that the recent incidents demonstrate these measures are insufficient. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, a pilot program equipping ambulance workers with body cameras is already underway. The minister noted this initiative helps moderate the behavior of both patients and staff. Plans are also in place to reinstate police presence in hospitals and impose stricter...

Security

Hostage-Taker in Almaty Airport Drama Sentenced to 11 Years in Prison

A knife-wielding man who took a hostage at Almaty International Airport before being disarmed by a former boxer who grabbed the weapon has been sentenced to 11 years in prison, media in Kazakhstan reported on Wednesday. Mashrapbek Baratov, 67, was sentenced in an Almaty court for the March 7 incident in which he held an airport employee by her hair and made threats as security officials gathered nearby. He let go of the woman after Musa Abdraim offered himself as a hostage, then disarmed the hostage-taker shortly afterward. Several witnesses filmed the scene with their phone cameras, and the images circulated widely on the internet. Baratov admitted guilt, and his trial was conducted in a relatively short time. He had been charged with hostage-taking, hooliganism, and intentionally making a false report of a terrorist act, according to Tengri News, a media outlet based in Kazakhstan. Abdraim won praise for his bold action from Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and the World Boxing Council.