The Government of Uzbekistan maintained tight control over internal security. No large scale terrorist attacks were carried out on Uzbekistan's territory in 2009, although several assassinations and other incidents were believed to be linked to extremist groups. Terrorist groups that originated in Uzbekistan, including the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) and the Islamic Jihad Union (IJU), were active in other countries, including Afghanistan and Pakistan.

On May 26, an armed group attacked a police outpost in Andijan province, near Uzbekistan's border with Kyrgyzstan. At the same time, at least two suicide bombings took place in the city of Andijan. The IJU claimed responsibility for the attacks.

On July 16, the deputy director of Tashkent's largest madrassa was murdered in front of his home. On July 31, three men attacked and stabbed the principal imam of Tashkent in front of his home, but the imam survived.

Although terrorist financing does not appear to be a significant problem in Uzbekistan, a large and robust black market functions outside the confines of the official financial system. The unofficial, unmonitored cash-based market created an opportunity for small-scale terrorist money laundering. In April 2009, the Government of Uzbekistan responded to international concerns and passed legislation to reestablish an anti-money laundering regime that had been suspended by Presidential decree. The new legislation falls short of international standards in some areas, but represented a step forward in Uzbekistan's commitment to combat financial crimes.

Uzbekistan cooperated with foreign governments on general security issues, including border control. Uzbekistan hosted the Central Asian Border Security Initiative (CABSI) meeting in October 2009, for the purpose of facilitating border security cooperation within the region. Tashkent was the seat of the six-nation Shanghai Cooperation Organization's Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure.

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