Leaders of tribes in western Pakistan say they will mobilize a force of hundreds of fighters to assist government troops searching for Al-Qaeda and Taliban leaders in the border region of their country with Afghanistan. This agreement was announced yesterday during a jirga, or local council of tribal chiefs, attended by thousands of members of the semi-autonomous tribes of South Waziristan. Many members of the tribes in the remote mountainous area near the Afghan border oppose the presence of government forces there, but Islamabad has been increasing pressure on them to assist in capturing foreign Al-Qaeda and Taliban fighters hiding in the area. The tribes residing in South Waziristan have close cultural and ethnic ties with the Taliban. These tribes are accused of harboring foreigners who have entered Pakistan from Afghanistan and Europe since the fall of the Taliban regime by American forces over two and a half years ago. Since last month, government forces in Pakistan and American troops in Afghanistan have launched new and broader operations to capture members of the Taliban and Al-Qaeda.
Collaboration of Pakistani Tribes with Central Government in Search of Al-Qaeda and Taliban Leaders - 2004-03-08
Leaders of tribes in western Pakistan have agreed to mobilize fighters to assist the government in capturing Al-Qaeda and Taliban leaders. This decision was made during a local council meeting in South Waziristan, where there is significant opposition to government forces. The collaboration is significant as it reflects the increasing pressure from Islamabad on local tribes to combat terrorism.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Tribal leaders in South Waziristan have agreed to mobilize fighters to assist the Pakistani government in capturing Al-Qaeda and Taliban leaders. This decision reflects the increasing pressure from Islamabad on local tribes to aid in counter-terrorism efforts.
- The agreement was reached during a local council meeting attended by thousands of tribal members.
- The tribes in South Waziristan have cultural ties to the Taliban, complicating their relationship with the Pakistani government.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Since the fall of the Taliban regime in 2001, Pakistan has struggled to control its tribal areas, which have been used as refuge by militants. The local tribes often have historical ties to these groups, complicating government efforts.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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