Waziristan

The area is 11,585 km² (including about 5,000 from the north and 6,500 from the south). Waziristan is located to the west and south-west of Peshawar , from the Kurram and Kayru interfluve to the Gomal river.

Population ( 1998 ) - 791,087 people (including 361,246 in the north and 429,841 in the south), mostly Pashtun tribes.

The population of each of the parts of Waziristan has certain differences, although both groups speak Waziri , which is the southern Pashto dialect. Since ancient times, the inhabitants of Waziristan have the reputation of a warlike people, known for the traditions of tribal blood feud. Pashtun tribal and religious leaders are traditionally represented in the Pakistani parliament. Tribes are subdivided into groups governed by village leaders, who, when solving common issues, periodically convene traditional tribal councils, the loya jirga . The life of Waziristan Pashtuns is very conservative socially and religiously. Women are carefully guarded from outsiders, each household should be headed exclusively by a man.

North Waziristan

North Waziristan, or Utmanzai, is inhabited by the Dervish-Khel (or Waziri) tribe, which gave the name to the region, living in fortified mountain villages, and Dawar (or Daur), whose settlements are located in lowland lowland valleys. The terrain of the vazirs are called Razmak, Datta-Khel, Spin-you, Dosali and Shava, davarov - Miranshah, Mrali, Edak, Hurmaz, Biland-Khel, Hassu-Khel and Hyder-Khel. The capital of North Waziristan is the city of Miranshah .

South Waziristan

South Waziristan, or Ahmadzai, is predominantly inhabited by the Mehsud tribe, whose representatives live in tent villages and are notable sheep breeders (Waziri sheep) who cultivate the production of black and white wool. The tribe was ruled at times by its leaders, at times by representatives of the northern tribes or the central government. The principles of governance are largely borrowed from Indian rajas . Locations of vazirs are called Makin, Two-Toi, Shakai, Soraroga, Koniguram, Sarvakai, Tanai. The capital of South Waziristan is the city of Van .

Since 1893, Waziristan is a territory virtually independent of both the English dominions and the Afghan government.

In 1947, Waziristan became part of independent Pakistan .

Since 2001, Waziristan has been a stronghold of the Taliban , expelled from Afghanistan. The Taliban have pushed aside traditional tribal leaders and, since 2004, have seized actual power in the region.

Waziristan Islamic State

On February 14, 2006, the restoration of independence and the establishment of the Islamic state of Waziristan were announced on the territory of North Waziristan ^[1] . Later, despite attempts by the Pakistani army to restore the central authority, the territory of the IWH expanded at the expense of most of South Waziristan ^[2] .

The self-proclaimed separatist state of Waziristan is not recognized by any country in the world.

The Army of the IWG has several tens of thousands of fighters and consists of residents of both Waziristan and the neighboring provinces of Pakistan and Afghanistan .

On August 7, 2007, Pakistan conducted a large-scale military operation against the Taliban militants in North Waziristan ^[3] .

December 12, 2009, Prime Minister Yusuf Reza Gilani announced the victory of Pakistan in South Waziristan ^[4] . After the victory of Pakistani troops Waziristan ceased to exist. Only a few districts of North Waziristan remained under the control of the militants.

On October 29, 2010, Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmoud Qureshi made a statement that the 35,000-strong grouping of Pakistani troops is ready for the start of hostilities against the Taliban in North Waziristan ^[5] .

As of 2015, Pakistan has not regained control of the territory .

• Chronology of the conflict in Waziristan
• Matchmaker

• Waziristan Map
• section on the site Jacobin Club
• Pictures from Waziristan