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By Barry Newhouse
Islamabad, 07 May 2009 - Pakistan's army continues to bomb Taliban
positions in the Swat valley and again lifted a curfew in some places to
allow residents to flee. But many civilians have been unable to reach
hospitals and refugee camps outside of the war-torn region.
With Swat valley sealed off from reporters and aid workers, there has
been little information about the scale of the fighting between soldiers
and Taliban militants. The army has released few details. On Thursday,
officials reported paramilitary troops killed 10 militants in Lower Dir,
including a son of the mediator of the Swat peace agreement, Sufi
Muhammad. Military officials say more than 200 militants have been
killed in the regional offensive, but have given no estimates on the
number of civilian casualties.
Residents fleeing the region report heavy clashes involving airstrikes
and artillery barrages. They say roads have been mined, making escape
even more treacherous.
While thousands of people have entered hospitals and refugee camps
outside the battle zone, there are far fewer than the half-million
regional officials have been expecting.
Civilians are not getting far
Red Cross spokesman Sebastien Brack tells VOA it appears that those who
decide to leave their homes are not journeying far before seeking
refuge.
"What makes it difficult to assess the numbers involved is that most of
these displaced people have not been able to actually leave their
district," said Brack. "Most of them are actually staying with host
families in neighboring villages. They have not reached the camps which
the government and the Pakistan Red Crescent Society are setting up."
Officials in nearby Mardan district say that as of Wednesday evening,
less than 3,000 people had entered two formal camps for those displaced
by violence. Officials estimated another 30,000 people are scattered
elsewhere in the district. The officials said registering the displaced
has been difficult because many fled quickly, without carrying their
identification.
Army offensive could last weeks
Previous attempts to dislodge militants in Swat last year failed after
several weeks of fighting. Pakistan's army has said it predicts the
offensive could last just one or two weeks. Despite those assurances,
Red Cross spokesman Brack says aid workers are preparing for a prolonged
humanitarian crisis.
"Based on past experience, when there was fighting in Bajaur in August
2008, the results of that with the IDP population are still with us
today," he said. "Given the scale of the fighting we're hearing about in
those areas this is going to be a humanitarian crisis for a while."
Even as the military assaults Taliban positions in Swat, politicians
have been reluctant to pronounce the peace deal dead. Officials continue
to insist that if the Taliban fighters disarm, they are willing to
return to plans to implement Islamic law in the region.
On Thursday, there were no signs the Taliban is planning to disarm.
Local reports indicated Taliban reinforcements from Dir and Buner
district were returning to Swat to bolster fighters who are believed to
still control several key towns and villages.
By VOA News
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