The BBC had a report this morning concerning increased fighting between local tribesmen and foreign militants in the Warizistan region of Pakistan. The militants in question are mainly Uzebeks linked to the Taliban and al Qaeda and some have been in the region, according to the BBC report, for upwards of two decades. What has caused this turn of events is unclear, but there have been clashes for about two weeks now.

Some details here from the AP: Clashes in Pakistan kill 60 near border

Heavy fighting between Pakistani tribesmen and foreign militants allegedly linked to al-Qaida has killed another 60 people near the Afghan border, security officials said Wednesday.

Local tribes turned viciously against foreigners living in the lawless South Waziristan region on March 19. The government says the violence shows Pakistan is winning its fight against international terrorism.

Pakistan’s Daily Times has more details: Tribesmen raise 900-man army to fight foreign militants

A tribal army of 900 volunteers was raised on Tuesday to support Maulvi Nazir, a pro-government militant commander waging a fight against Uzbek militants and their local supporters in South Waziristan.

A jirga of Ahmedzai Wazirs met again in Wana’s Rustam Bazaar to consider the request for a lashkar from Nazir, the ameer of the Taliban in South Waziristan, against Uzbeks resisting attempts to be expelled from the area, according to reports reaching here.

“Tribal elders of Ahmedzai Wazirs gathered in the bazaar and approved raising a lashkar of 900 volunteers,” said the reports.

Around 200 people, mostly Uzbeks, have been killed in ongoing clashes between Nazir’s supporters and the Uzbek militants and their local sympathisers in the Azam Warsak, Kaloosha and Karikot areas since last month.

[…]

A pamphlet, distributed in Wana Bazaar by Nazir’s supporters, claimed that Uzbek commander Tahir Yuldashev of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan “is an agent of America and Afghan President Hamid Karzai, and liable to be killed”.

The elder said the Uzbeks were “spreading terror” across Wazir areas to “neutralise Nazir’s majority”.

The former security official said the battle would decide the future of Waziristan, and defeat for Maulvi Nazir would be as “devastating for Pakistan as it would be for the Taliban ameer”.

Since March 19, when the clashes began, the Uzbek militants and their sympathisers have held firm against Maulvi Nazir.

This could be a very significant story, although I have heard/seen nothing in the US press about the fighting. However, one would guess that this new initiative should get some attention.

Technorati Tags: Pakistan, Warizistan, Taliban, Taleban, al Qaeda