never-ending mid-east chaos

Security Forces Clash With Pro-Taliban Tribesmen in Northwestern Pakistan;
at Least 49 Killed
MIRAN SHAH, Pakistan -- Pakistan's army retaliated with helicopter gunships and artillery after pro-Taliban tribesmen clashed with security forces Saturday near the Afghan border. At least 49 people were killed in the fighting, a spokesman said.

Anger has been stirring among the tribesmen since a military strike on a suspected al-Qaida camp earlier this week in the nearby village of Saidgi.

Maj. Gen. Shaukat Sultan, the army spokesman, said 25 militants were killed in Miran Shah and 21 in Mir Ali, but he added the toll could be higher. Three government troops also died and about 10 were wounded, he said.

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Wasn't our occupation of Iraq supposed to slow down the terrorists' attacks, instead of increasing them?