Hundreds of local tribesmen in Pakistan's South Waziristan Agency are protesting US drone attacks on their areas.

Soon after the Friday prayers, the tribesmen and elders of the Waziristan tribes staged a large protest rally in Wana city, the main town of South Waziristan Agency and marched in strong condemnation of the unmanned aircraft attacks, terming it an assault on Pakistan's sovereignty, a Press TV correspondent reported late on Friday.

The latest attack killed a dozen civilians in South Waziristan on Thursday.

The tribesmen held placards and chanted anti-American slogans like 'No to drone attacks', 'Drone attacks are counterproductive' and demanded the government halt the aerial assaults.

Tribal elders including Nek Muhammad, Molvi Umar Khan, Molvi Sultan, Sherin Jan, Malik Saadullah and Malik Jamal addressed the gathering and denounced the acts of American aggression.

They demanded the US to immediately stop the assaults otherwise the tribesmen would be free to retaliate in any manner they see fit, Press TV correspondent quoted them as saying.

Local bazaars remained closed to commemorate the death of the 12 civilians.

FTP/SME/HAR