| FrontPageMag.com | By Robert Spencer | By Hugh Fitzgerald | Books | Dhimmi Watch | Islam 101 | Qur'an Blog | Raymond Ibrahim | Robert Spencer |  |
|
|
|||||||||||
|
|
That would be most welcome progress, if it materializes. "Pakistan plans all-out war on militants," by Syed Saleem Shahzad for Asia Times:
An all-out battle for control of Pakistan's restive North and South Waziristan is about to commence between the Pakistani military and the Taliban and al-Qaeda adherents who have made these tribal areas their own.
According to a top Pakistani security official who spoke to Asia Times Online on condition of anonymity, the goal this time is to pacify the Waziristans once and for all. All previous military operations - usually spurred by intelligence provided by the Western coalition - have had limited objectives, aimed at specific bases or sanctuaries or blocking the cross-border movement of guerrillas. Now the military is going for broke to break the back of the Taliban and a-Qaeda in Pakistan and reclaim the entire area.
The fighting that erupted two weeks ago, and that has continued with bombing raids against guerrilla bases in North Waziristan - turning thousands of families into refugees and killing more people than any India-Pakistan war in the past 60 years - is but a precursor of the bloodiest battle that is coming.
Lining up against the Pakistani Army will be the Shura (council) of Mujahideen comprising senior al-Qaeda and Taliban commanders, local clerics, and leaders of the fighting clans Wazir and Mehsud (known as the Pakistani Taliban). The shura has long been calling the shots in the Waziristans, imposing sharia law and turning the area into a strategic command and control hub of global Muslim resistance movements, including those operating in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"All previous operations had a different perspective," the security official told ATol. "In the past Pakistan commenced an operation when the Western coalition informed Pakistan about any particular hide-out or a sanctuary, or Pakistan traced any armed infiltration from or into Pakistan.
"However, the present battle aims to pacify Waziristan once and for all. The Pakistani Army has sent a clear message to the militants that Pakistan would deploy its forces in the towns of Mir Ali, Miranshah, Dand-i-Darpa Kheil, Shawal, Razmak, Magaroti, Kalosha, Angor Ada. The Pakistani Army is aiming to establish permanent bases which would be manned by thousands of military and paramilitary troops."
According to the security official, an ultimatum had been delivered to the militants recently during a temporary ceasefire. The army would set a deadline and give safe passage into Afghanistan to all al-Qaeda members and Taliban commanders who had gathered in Waziristan to launch a large-scale post-Ramadan operation in Afghanistan. They, along with wanted tribal warrior leaders, would all leave Pakistan, and never return.
After their departure, under the direct command and surveillance of newly appointed Vice Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kiani (who will replace President-elect Pervez Musharraf as Chief of Army Staff), fresh troops and paramilitary forces would be sent in to establish bases at all strategic points and disarm the local tribes. The Durand Line (the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan), would be fenced and border controls would be tightened.
The militants rejected the ultimatum.
What's at stake
A qualified estimate by intelligence officials is that Pakistani military pacification of the Waziristans would slash the capability of the Afghan resistance by 85% as well as deliver a serious setback to the Iraqi resistance.
[...]
According to intelligence sources, during Ramadan, the Taliban's entire top command, including Moulvi Abdul Kabeer, Jalaluddin Haqqani, Sirajuddin Haqqani, Nasiruddin Haqqani, and Mullah Mansoor Dadullah were in North Waziristan to launch a post-Ramadan offensive in southeast Afghanistan. The Pakistani military engaged the militants well in advance to block their offensive plan, but the same militant command is believed to still be in North Waziristan.
In addition, the town of Shawal hosts the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan’s command. The Uzbeks are trying to reorganize themselves to stage an armed revolt against the government of Uzbekistan.
There is also a Kurd presence in the area, which has a direct bearing on the US's Iraqi occupation. A small number of fresh Kurd recruits come through Iran into Waziristan, get few months' training, and then return to Iran before infiltrating Iraq to fuel insurgency in Iraqi Kurdistan against this important US ally.
[...]
The safety of Taliban and al-Qaeda assets in Waziristan is a matter of life and death and, therefore, the militants have devised a forward strategy to target the Pakistani cities of Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad, hoping to break the will of the Pakistani armed forces. The Pakistani military, meanwhile, is trying to break the will of the militants with ongoing bombing raids.
Underscoring the seriousness with which the military is planning for the coming battle, it is reported that Shi'ite soldiers from northern Pakistan are being sent to the Waziristans. In the past, the Pakistani Army has been plagued by desertions of Pashtun and Sunni troops who refuse to fight fellow Pashtuns or Sunnis.
Posted by Marisol at October 19, 2007 12:11 AM
Print this entry
| Email this entry
| Digg this
| del.icio.us
|
its about time
Posted by: god_is_not_great![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.jihadwatch.org/nav-commenters.gif)
at October 19, 2007 12:25 AM
The equation is really easy:
(1) If you work for the government and screw up, establish a training program. Training is good.
(2) If you run a Muslim country and screw up, clamp down on ‘terrorists’. The War of Terror is good.
There’s money in it either way.
at October 19, 2007 12:42 AM
will the war really be waged in pakiland..........
at October 19, 2007 1:06 AM
Yes, it's great, but just a tad too late for the some 133 people (and rising?) who were massacred today at the rally for Benazir Bhutto.
How will the "moderate" Muslims and their dhimmi defenders react to this latest atrocity? Ho, hum, business as usual. Snore...
Posted by: Suziq at October 19, 2007 1:38 AM
Didn't say anything about closing down all the Madrassas in the country. If Pakistan is serious about taking control and destroying the Taliban and Al Qaeda power bases in their country, the Madrassas must be destroyed.
In addition, they better not be squemish about shooting a few Imams as well.
Posted by: rational at October 19, 2007 2:08 AM
Through JW and many other sources, I've learned a lot about Pakistan since 9/11, and their role as an ally in the "War on Terror".From the start, it seemed that sooner or later the Pakistani military would have to square off with a large number of Islamic fascists.Unfortunately, it's later than sooner.The toe-dragging is supposedly over, but I still expect to see duplicity continue as a major player.
There's a battle of ideologies being waged around the world, and Pakistan will soon erupt with heavy fighting.Let's hope for successful destruction and containment of our common enemies.The perpetrators of hateful intolerance and barbarism must be eradicated from Pakistan now.Good luck with that.
at October 19, 2007 2:14 AM
"Pakistan plans all-out war on militants"
What? April the first here so soon?
Posted by: ewha1 at October 19, 2007 2:32 AM
Maybe Al Q/Taliban attempts at intimidation through mutilation of Pakistani soldiers cuts both ways?
Maybe the continued attempts to kill Musharif have sharpened his resolve?
Maybe easily taking on a few hundred on patrol made jubilent Al Q/T forget that inspiring a not small army to seek blood and honor isn't a wise strategic move?
Their fanatical brutality and over-reach may be our best ally.
So then they try to blow up Bhutto and go "All-In"? If the Pakistani Army does call their bluff, Al Q/T might learn that they weren't playing with a full deck.
Hope we've got enough folks on the border.
Posted by: Sashland at October 19, 2007 4:30 AM
Oh yeah, THIS time they're serious about destroying extremism. Filthy, wimpy liars is what they are. How did we ever allow this Pakistan thing to acquire nukes?
Posted by: Bingo at October 19, 2007 4:50 AM
@ topic
I'll believe THAT when I see it.
About 6 years late, but...ok...
Them, too, I bid a long & healthy war.
at October 19, 2007 4:59 AM
That article also has a paragraph about "a small number" Kurds being trained and returning to Kurdish areas to resist the US military. Just how large is this small number?
Whatever anyone says about Kurds; they are still Muslims and should be considered untrustworthy until they become something other than Muslim.
Posted by: Pelayo at October 19, 2007 5:22 AM
"...the militants have devised a forward strategy to target the Pakistani cities of Lahore,.."
....uh oh.....Naseems partners in peace are coming to town....time to board up the furniture store.....
...i would not want them in my neighborhood....Ban Muslim Immigration...
Posted by: exsgtbrown at October 19, 2007 6:29 AM
Right. Since all fellow Muslims are "innocent" the Sunnis and Pashtuns can't possibly kill their compatriots.
Pakistan seems set to follow Iraq and Afghanistan into a cauldron of fire and brimstone.
Posted by: spinoneone at October 19, 2007 6:33 AM
Time for Allied target practice on the Afgan border.
Get out or die, to get out and die. Make a choise, die here or die there. Decisions, decisions.
Posted by: flowerknife_us at October 19, 2007 6:56 AM
Well, let's hope the U.S. and allied forces in Afghanistan are waiting for these bugs when they inevitably run for the border. A great opportunity to squeeze them from both sides...never know how long a window of opportunity like this will stay open. Musharraf is feeling empowered by his re-election but you never know how long that will last.
Whole lotta folks are going to go see Allah and will be surprised to find him toasting marshmallows in hell.
Posted by: JohnAdams at October 19, 2007 7:57 AM
"The army would set a deadline and give safe passage into Afghanistan to all al-Qaeda members and Taliban commanders who had gathered in Waziristan to launch a large-scale post-Ramadan operation in Afghanistan. They, along with wanted tribal warrior leaders, would all leave Pakistan, and never return."
Ahhh..."safe passage into Afghanistan"...
Why is this acceptable?
Will they be more peaceful across the border?
Do U.S. troops in Afghanistan need more work? more jihadists to kill, or, to kill them?
Just another group of "hearts and minds" to win over?
We are building madrassas in Afghan to keep Afhanis from going to Pakistan to get their jihad lessons. And now we endorse a policy to drive the worst of the worst jihadists back into Afghanistan?
Posted by: USorThem at October 19, 2007 8:36 AM
"In the past, the Pakistani Army has been plagued by desertions of Pashtun and Sunni troops who refuse to fight fellow Pashtuns or Sunnis."
The above quote from the article foretells the inescapable outcome of the Pakistan Security Force offensive. They think with their blood. Tribal and religious ties supercede all loyalty to the Pakistan nation state. This could fracture the Army and render it completely ineffective in fighting the warlords, tribal leaders, and Taliban in Waziristan. The result will be spreading violence throughtout the rest of Pakistan as the various factions take sides. Anybody want to start a death pool for Bhutto and Musharif?
Posted by: ARAKIS at October 19, 2007 8:49 AM
...the Pakistani soldier fighting the terrorists will have to watch the front and his rear....just in case...
Posted by: exsgtbrown at October 19, 2007 9:15 AM
from just one week ago...
http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2007/10/consolidating_taliba.php
The Taliban takeover of the Northwest Frontier Province continues virtually unopposed. In North Waziristan, the Pakistani government is suing for peace after five days of fighting that resulted in at least 50 soldiers killed; unofficial estimates are over 100). In South Waziristan, the Taliban are showing off a captured military base, parading captured soldiers in front of the media, and bragging about beheadings. In the settled district of Swat, the local Taliban are conducting public floggings while the bomb religious statues. In Mohmand, the Taliban are conducting public beheadings.
North Waziristan
The fighting in North Waziristan has essentially stopped. The last reported incidents from North Waziristan occurred on Thursday. Two soldiers were wounded in a roadside bombing, and rockets were launched at a fort near Miranshah. The majority of the fighting earlier this week occurred in Mir Ali.
The Taliban and the Pakistani military are currently working on a ceasefire, the Daily Times reported, with the end goal being the renegotiation of the North Waziristan Accord.
“Once the ceasefire is agreed upon then a larger jirga will discuss permanent peace,” Ali Jan Orakzai, the governor of the Northwest Frontier Province said. The negotiations between the government and the Taliban are being conducted through tribal elders.
The government signaled it was looking for a political solution earlier in the week just as the fighting raged in and around Mir Ali. The government claimed over 200 Taliban were killed, including 25 Uzbek, Arab, Afghan, and Tajik members of al Qaeda. Tribesmen claimed the majority of those killed were civilians after the air force bombed a series of towns in the region.
Posted by: theygottago at October 19, 2007 9:48 AM
So muslims kill non-muslims in the name of Allah and other muslims as well, hmmmmm. Why are the allowed in Amerika again?
Posted by: Stinkyinfidel at October 19, 2007 10:09 AM
In the past, the Pakistani Army has been plagued by desertions of Pashtun and Sunni troops who refuse to fight fellow Pashtuns or Sunnis.Ha! Were that to happen on a nationwide scale, the next step would be Pakistan becoming a Shi'ite country - in other words, they'd have to pack 100m Sunnis off to Afghanistan. Yeah, that'll be the day! Posted by: Infidel Pride
at October 19, 2007 11:46 AM
So muslims kill non-muslims in the name of Allah and other muslims as well, hmmmmm. Why are the allowed in Amerika again?
Posted by: Stinkyinfidel
Diversity, my friend. Diversity. The Kennedy brothers saw in 1965 that we were "too European" and needed to be more worldly, hence the immigration reform act of 1965. We can't punish "the peaceful Muslims" (barf!) for the acts of a few who have "hijacked a great religion".
More dissociation by people who are "embarrassed" at the actions of some malcontents.
Posted by: PMK at October 19, 2007 12:10 PM
Just more evidence (as if we needed it) that Islam is a burden to the entire world. Muslims worldwide should be ashamed that they are Muslim but shame is not a feature of the most parasitical, self-pitying, self-exculpating religion of all time. I feel so fortunate I was not brought up Muslim.
Posted by: Wellington at October 19, 2007 2:06 PM
"I feel so fortunate I was not brought up Muslim.
Posted by: Wellington"
......me too!...
Posted by: exsgtbrown at October 19, 2007 3:22 PM
LOL !!! "Pakistan plans all-out war on militants"
They are a bunch of clowns. I can't imagine anyone can run this complete dysfunctional country.
Posted by: MusHuntCowboy at October 19, 2007 5:36 PM
It's the same old tired crap the Pakistan authorities trot out every year or so.
The amazing thing is it's believed.
Remember, back in 2004 when the same tired old "We're taking on the terrorists" line was trotted out?
War nerd saw through the crap from the off - it's a fiercely funny article that touches on Pakstan, Iraq, etc.
http://exile.ru/articles/detail.php?ARTICLE_ID=7291&IBLOCK_ID=35
It's real simple folks.
The only way that there'll ever be a clamp down on Al Qaeda, whoever, is if ISI give the okay. The ISI run Pakistan.
It's that simple.
Everything else is for the birds.
Posted by: ewha1 at October 20, 2007 12:54 AM
He's going to war with 80% of his own country?
Should be interesting.
Posted by: profitsbeard at October 20, 2007 1:36 AM
'beard,
that makes at least two of us that wish then a long and healthy war.
lol
at October 20, 2007 3:00 AM
Comments are turned off and archived for this entry.
(Note: The Comments section is provided in the interests of free speech only. It is mostly unmoderated, but comments that are off-topic, offensive, slanderous, or otherwise annoying stand a chance of being deleted. The fact that any comment remains on the site IN NO WAY constitutes an endorsement by Jihad Watch or Dhimmi Watch, or by Robert Spencer or any other Jihad Watch or Dhimmi Watch writer, of any view expressed, fact alleged, or link provided in that comment.)