United Tajik Opposition
The United Tajik Opposition was an alliance of democratic, nationalist and Islamist forces that officially banded together in 1993, after the most violent phase of the Tajik Civil War. The UTO fought against the pro-communist and Khujandi/Kulyabi government forces led by Emomali Rahmon, then Emomali Rakhmonov.
The UTO opposition consisted of the Islamic Renaissance Party, Rastokhez, the Democratic Party of Tajikistan, and Lali Badakhshan. The UTO made successful advances against the Rakhmon government, pushing the leader to begin negotiations. In 1997, a peace treaty was concluded between the Rakhmon government and the UTO.
Following the treaty, several units of the Opposition became part of the Tajik National Army, becoming some of its most experienced units.
