The Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) is a terrorist organization whose primary goal is to overthrow the government of Uzbekistan. The IMU has employed kidnapping, armed attacks against government installations, cross-border incursions, and coordinated efforts with other terrorist groups, such as Al Qaida. The United Nations reported in January 2017 that IMU continues to fight in Northern Afghanistan, with some splinter groups attempting to spread into other Central Asian states. Other reports from 2017 indicate that one dissident faction continues to operate in Afghanistan and Syria. The IMU has attacked Westerners and has declared its intentions to continue to work with groups with "similar objectives".