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Waziristan War
Part of the War on Terrorism
File:R1170292410 web.jpg Pakistani soldiers patrol Wana, the main town of South Waziristan.
Date March 2004- (conflict still ongoing) Location Waziristan, Federally Administered Tribal Areas, Pakistan Result Conflict ongoing
Belligerents
Pakistan, USA	Waziristan tribesmen, al-Qaeda members
Commanders and leaders
Pervez Musharraf	Ayman al-Zawahiri (probable)
Strength
15,000?	8000-20,000?
Casualties and losses
500 Pakistanis, 50 Americans	2000 confirmed

The Waziristan War (2004-present) is an ongoing armed conflict that began in 2004 when the Pakistani Army began its search for al-Qaeda members in Pakistan's mountainous Waziristan area (or the Federally Administered Tribal Areas). Clashes erupted between the Pakistani troops who are frequently assisted by US precision strikes, and al-Qaeda militants joined by local armed rebels. The struggle there is seen as a part of the US-led War on Terrorism.

Timeline

In July 2002, Pakistani troops entered the Tirah Valley in Khyber tribal agency, for the first time in 55 years. They preceded to move into the Shawal valley of North Waziristan, and later South Waziristan.

This was made possible after long negotiations with various tribes, who reluctantly agreed to allow the military's presence on the assurance that it would bring in funds and development work.

But once the military action started in South Waziristan a number of Waziri sub-tribes took it as an attempt to subjugate them.

Attempts to persuade them into handing over the foreign militants failed, and with an apparently mishandling by the authorities, the security campaign against suspected al-Qaeda militants turned into an undeclared war in 2004 between the Pakistani military and the rebel tribesmen.

In March 2004, heavy fighting broke out at Azam Warsak, near the South Waziristan town of Wana, between Pakistani troops and an estimated 400 militants holed up in several fortified settlements. It was speculated that bin Laden's deputy Ayman al-Zawahiri was among those trapped by the Pakistani Army.

The latest turn of U.S. involvement was an U.S. airstrike on the village of Damadola, on January 13, 2006. The attack occurred in the Bajaur tribal area, about 7 km (4.5 miles) from the Afghan border, and killed at least 18 people. The attack targeted Ayman al-Zawahiri, but he was most probably not there. DNA evidence showed that at least five high-ranking Al Qaeda foreigners were killed, including Midhat Mirsi, a bomb building expert, for whom a $5 million award was offered.

On March 4 Pakistani forces started a massive assault on pro-Taliban elements in the region. Pakistani officials said 46 militants and five soldiers died after fighting erupted, although some reports put the death toll at over 70.

The Leader

Haji Omar is the Amir (leader) of the Pakistani Taliban that have risen over the last year to take control of large parts of Waziristan.

His writ runs virtually unchallenged in South Waziristan and he seems confident that his commanders will soon establish Taliban control in North Waziristan as well.

See also

• War on Terrorism
• Taleban guerrilla war

External links

• Pakistan's undeclared war by Zaffar Abbas, BBC News, Friday, 10 September, 2004
• Dozens killed in Pakistan clashes, BBC News, Friday, 5 March, 2006

• Guerrilla wars
• War on terror
• FATA