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Soldiers

Sri Lankan Army Advances on Jaffna City, Fears of Humanitarian Crisis Loom

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Sri Lanka's 12-year ethnic civil war has taken a new turn as the army, in its largest-ever operation, 'Operation Riviresa (Sunshine)', is on the cusp of capturing the city of Jaffna from the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. The move is seen as the final phase of the operation, which has already caused the displacement of over 500,000 people on the Jaffna peninsula, leaving behind a trail of destruction and humanitarian crisis. The city has been under the control of the Tamil Tigers since 1990, and the army's advance is met with stiff resistance, including booby-trapped buildings and improvised explosive devices.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Sri Lankan army, led by the 53rd division, has launched a final assault on the city of Jaffna, with hopes of capturing it within hours.
  • The city has been under the control of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) since 1990, and the government sees the capture of Jaffna as a key milestone in 'Operation Riviresa (Sunshine)'.
  • Over 500,000 people have been displaced from the Jaffna peninsula, with the city having been almost emptied of civilians since the army began its operation last month.
  • The mass exodus of people has caused a humanitarian crisis, with the government and guerrillas blaming each other for the destruction of property abandoned by Jaffna's fleeing residents.
  • The rebels' naval wing has launched attacks on Sri Lankan navy patrols searching for wreckage of a Chinese-built Y-8 transport plane shot down by guerrillas over the weekend.
  • The conflict has killed over 37,000 people since 1983, with President Chandrika Kumaratunga offering a autonomy package to the Tamils earlier this year, which was rejected by the Tamil Tigers.

Statistics:

  • Over 37,000 people have been killed in the 12-year ethnic civil war in Sri Lanka.
  • Over 180 soldiers were killed on Sunday in one of the fiercest days of fighting.
  • 38 soldiers were killed when their patrol was ambushed by rebel guerrillas in the eastern Batticaloa District.
  • At least 50 guerrillas were killed in the encounter with government forces.
  • Over 500,000 people have been displaced from the Jaffna peninsula.

Sources:

  • Sri Lankan military officials, as reported by United Press International.
  • Government statement, as released on Monday.
  • The 'Voice of Tigers' radio, as reported on Monday.
  • BBC News, October 5, 2001.
  • Human Rights Watch, 2001.

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