Pakistani tribes await 'full force' offensive

[Aidoneus]

Pakistani tribes await 'full force' offensive
By Syed Saleem Shahzad

KARACHI - The fighting between Pakistani forces and tribespeople in the country's South Waziristan agency may have come to an end, but the silence isn't expected to last long, with Pakistani troops set to launch a "full force" offensive in the area on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border to flush out supporters of the Afghan resistance. But the failure of the present operation in the tribal areas has not only destroyed the writ of the Pakistani security forces and the state of Pakistan there, but also the proxy network of the United States.

South Waziristan is a natural hotbed and a focal point of the Afghan resistance. Asia Times Online was the first publication to point this out, in January 2003 (A bloody destiny for South Waziristan Jan 10, 2003), recognizing that South Waziristan would play the most significant role in the future of the Afghan resistance. South Waziristan is one of seven federally administered tribal agencies where fiercely independent tribes have been allowed to govern their own affairs.

Fighting erupted on Tuesday in South Waziristan as US-led forces began a spring offensive to eradicate Taliban and al-Qaeda remnants in Afganistan. Under intense US pressure, the Pakistani military is supposed to be doing its bit on the Pakistan side of the border. At least 15 Pakistani military personnel and 24 "suspects" were reported killed in Tuesday's battle, most of the latter said to be tribespeople suspected of sheltering militants. Well-placed sources in South Waziristan agency's headquarters in Wana tell Asia Times Online that at the fighting has stopped, but there is a large mobilization of Pakistani troops underway, an indication that another big operation is looming.

--snip--

After Tuesday's chaos, it is likely that pro-Taliban forces will now rule over affairs in the tribal areas. The pro-US forces - on whom a lot of money was spent to buy their loyalty - have now vanished..

At the same time, the writ of the state of Pakistan was the real casualty in the South Waziristan operation, as the other tribal areas are also likely to adopt a rebellious stance and will rise against the presence of the Pakistan army in the tribal lands.

--snip--

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/FC19Df01.html

others from the author recently:
Deathly silence descends on South Waziristan
How the US set Pakistan aflame
US's foes set to pounce
Afghanistan: Dogs of war in full cry
Afghanistan: The spring trap is sprung

[ze_dscherman]

1. Pakistan is heading into civil war / coup

The U.S. is (deliberately?) pushing it's "best non-NATO-ally" into chaos. An ally with atomic weapons. And don't forget it's unresolved problems with India.

These news make my hair stand up!

[bemildred]

2. Yep.

It is not for no reason that these areas have been
"self-governing". I like this bit:

After Tuesday's chaos, it is likely that pro-Taliban forces
will now rule over affairs in the tribal areas. The pro-US forces
- on whom a lot of money was spent to buy their loyalty - have
now vanished..

I would wager the decision to make Pakistan a non-NATO partner is
about getting the government forces the best weapons that money
can buy.

[ze_dscherman]

4. Deal with India as well?

We should look at deals with India. They must have gotten something in exchange. Powell went to India before he visited Pakistan.

I should re-start reading atimes.com, has always been a very interesting site.

[bemildred]

5. I don't really know, but

We are buddies with India too, various signs show that,
and Mushhead had made nice with the BJP about Kashmir and
all that, so I think there has been a sort of realignment
where the new "sides" are the governments against the fundies.
Maybe India prefers Mushhead to a fundy islamic government?
I think at present that Pakistan is easily the most dangerous
country in the World, and I expect that what lies behind this
is an effort to keep the lid on, and I expect it will get very
bloody if the fundies don't accept supervision.

[Aidoneus]

7. India's "use" is vis-a-vis China

That's one of the reasons for the outsourcing bit--strengthen India as the regional super-power to try and delay the day that China takes over our top position. Pakistan's use as an instrument of US policy is directed elsewhere. That sort of schizophrenic policy is nothing new to us.. look at our history with Saudi Arabia & Israel.

Atimes.com is indeed a very interesting page.. particularly Shahzad & Escobar.

[bemildred]

8. Yes, that is a very good point. nt

[mmm]

3. who are these Pakistani soldiers?

are they not of the same tribes they are supposed to be
fighting? when will the tribes make their move and sieze those
nukes? bombs away!

[Aidoneus]

6. new relevance in light of today's events

:kick:

[Aidoneus]

9. Afghan offensive: Grand plans hit rugged reality

Afghan offensive: Grand plans hit rugged reality
By Syed Saleem Shahzad

KARACHI - The plan to eradicate the Afghan resistance was straightforward: US-led coalition forces would drive from inside Afghanistan into the last real sanctuary of the insurgents, and meet the Pakistani military driving from the opposite direction. There would then be no safe place left to hide for the Taliban and al-Qaeda remnants, or, presumably, for Osama bin Laden himself. The plan's implementation began with the launch of operation "Mountain Storm" around March 15.

But the insurgents have a plan of their own, which they have revealed to Asia Times Online. Conceived by foreign resistance fighters of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and Arab origin, it is a classic guerrilla stratagem that involves enmeshing the mighty military forces of the United States and its allies in numerous local conflicts, diverting them from their real goal and dissipating their strength.

The insurgents' plan, too, has been put into effect, and the fierce fighting in Pakistan's tribal agency of South Waziristan last Tuesday, when resistance fighters and their tribal sympathizers took on the Pakistani military and routed it, was an early manifestation. Now Pakistan must quell its own rebel tribespeople before it continues to help the US with Mountain Storm. Indeed, Pakistan is attempting just that, on Thursday launching a "full force" operation in South Waziristan, using artillery and helicopter gunships. At the same time, tribal opposition to the Pakistani military has spread to North Waziristan - all according to plan, it seems.

--snip--

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/FC20Df02.html