SUMMARY

Much of the conflict between the Mangal and the Turi, forcing the Mangal to cross Turi territory in order to reach the rest of Pakistan. Further, radicalization of inter-tribal relations occurred within both tribes, as the Taleban fundamentalist ideology made its way into tribal affairs.

The strategies used by both tribes are consistent with those employed by other tribal armies, so-called ‘lashkars’, in Pakistan – skirmishes and gun-battles are complemented by bomb attacks and destruction of houses of the rival tribe. Usage of heavy weaponry (such as mortars) is common, owing probably to the instability of the region facilitating the availability of such armament. The conflict between the Mangal and the Turi has been described as violent, leading to most roads in the area under conflict being blocked or otherwise unusable, increasing the gravity of the social issues confronting each tribe.

However, throughout the violence, both tribes engaged in peace talks by convening meetings of elders, the so-called ‘peace jergas’, leading to various cease-fires and provisional peace deals, with various levels of success.

Violence mainly took place in the villages of Lower Kurram, a remote agency of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) of Pakistan, where the two tribes are most likely to interact.

The non-state conflict between the Mangal and the Turi tribes is first included in UCDP data in 2007. In November that year skirmishes between the two tribes resulted in over 25 battle-related deaths.