Ethiopian Review

Pakistan has lifted its curfew on the northwestern Swat Valley, giving thousands of civilians the chance to flee intense fighting between government forces and Taliban militants.

Officials say the curfew will be reinstated Sunday afternoon.

The United Nations says the fighting has forced 500,000 people to leave their homes in Dir, Swat and Buner districts in recent days, but some residents say they are trapped.

The Pakistani military said Sunday it had killed between 180 to 200 insurgents during the last 24 hours in Swat and the surrounding area.

At an emergency Cabinet meeting Saturday, Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani directed millions of dollars to help residents in the region. He called for support of the nation’s armed forces in their fight against militants.

Many of those fleeing the area report scores of civilian casualties. Mr. Gilani said the army is doing what it can to limit civilian deaths.

Refugees are gathering in camps south of the war zone. Pakistani television showed scenes of scuffles and looting at one of the camps, where some complain of a lack of food and shelter.

This is the deadliest outbreak of fighting in the region since February, when local officials signed a controversial peace deal with Taliban militants.

A provincial official, Information Minister Iftikhar Hussain, says the militants violated the deal that required them to disarm in exchange for the establishment of Islamic law (Sharia) in Malakand Division. The official accused militants of trying to set up a parallel government in the area.

Army spokesman Major-General Athar Abbas told reporters Friday the military was battling at least 4,000 militants in Swat Valley, including Uzbeks and Tajiks.

Some 15,000 Pakistani security forces are deployed in the region.

- VOA