Death toll in Pak tribal conflicts of interest goes to 250

Guardian:

Clashes between Pakistani tribesmen and foreign fighters in the tribal belt close to the Afghan border intensified sharply yesterday, bringing the official toll from two weeks of fighting to more than 250.

The bloodshed was centred on a cluster of villages near Wana, the main town in South Waziristan tribal agency, where hundreds of heavily armed Pashtun tribesmen are trying to expel more than 1,000 mostly Uzbek fighters from the area.

Two days ago tribesmen sounded the traditional drums of war to muster a "Lashkar" - a tribal fighting force. Since then 50 Uzbeks, 10 tribesmen and one Pakistani soldier have died, according to local officials. However, like much from Waziristan - a remote and dangerous area from where most reporters have left - the information could not be verified.

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The Uzbeks fled to Waziristan after the fall of the Taliban in late 2001. They are led by Tahir Yuldashev, an Islamist who was close to Osama bin Laden. Initially they were welcomed by conservative tribesmen who shared their ideas about "jihad" against foreign forces. But their popularity sharply waned as they became enmeshed in local rivalries and were blamed for rising crime and brutal assassinations of pro-government elders and other enemies.

According to some reports the current fighting was triggered by the assassination some weeks ago of a respected Arab fighter also sheltering in Waziristan.

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The anti-Uzbek forces are led by Maulvi Nazir, a young local commander believed to be coordinating Taliban attacks across the border in Afghanistan. The Uzbeks, estimated to number 1,000-2,000, also have supporters, notably from another sub-clan feuding with Maulvi Nazir.

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The Uzbeks are viewed with increasing animosity in Waziristan. Although a small number have integrated into the tight-knit society - marrying local women and learning the Pashto language - most are considered little better than criminals.

The Uzbeks have been blamed for a rise in kidnappings, car theft and targeted killings. Pakistani military commanders say they found pornography and evidence that the Uzbeks were eating pork during raids on their hideouts in spring 2005.

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This is very much a red on red fight. all of the parties are on the other side of our war in Afghanistan. It does appear that the Uzbeks have worn out their welcome in the area. They are like company that has stayed too long. The porn and pork charges appear to be excuses for the carnage, if any are needed by the locals. An interesting question would be where they got it in an area controlled by the tribe.