Sri Lankan Troops Capture Last Town Held by Tamil Tigers

Strategic Insights -

Sri Lankan troops have fought their way into the last town held by the Tamil Tiger separatist guerrillas, according to government sources. The capture of Puthukkudiyiruppu, a narrow strip of land in the island's north-east controlled by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), marks a significant breakthrough in the war against the rebels. The Sri Lankan army allowed a Reuters journalist into the battlezone, offering a rare insight into a war that has been largely off-limits to journalists.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Sri Lankan army has captured Puthukkudiyiruppu, the last town held by the Tamil Tiger separatist guerrillas, according to government sources.
  • The LTTE is now down to less than 500 fighters, with their last stronghold being the jungles.
  • The Sri Lankan army estimates that there are fewer than 70,000 Tamils trapped in the no-fire zone, whereas the UN estimates that 200,000 people are trapped.
  • The government disputes allegations that its troops have targeted civilians, blaming instead the Tigers for shooting anyone who tries to flee.
  • The Tigers have lost their one-time political capital, Kilinochchi, and their main military base in Mullaittivu in recent weeks.
  • The rebels have called for an internationally-brokered truce, a sign of their desperation.
  • Velupillai Prabhakaran, the LTTE leader, is presumed to be alive and directing his battle-hardened troops to stage guerrilla-style hit-and-run attacks.
  • A high-ranking official said Prabhakaran is fighting to the death and will take his own cyanide pill if captured.
  • The LTTE is the only militant group in the world to have heavy artillery, a rudimentary air force, and a navy comprising of warships and submarines.
  • The rebels are regarded as fanatical in devotion to their cause, a separate homeland for Sri Lanka's 3 million Tamils.

Statistics:

  • The Sri Lankan army has 200,000 fighters, with a defense budget that now eats up a fifth of all spending.
  • The LTTE has fewer than 500 fighters remaining, with their last stronghold being the jungles.
  • The UN estimates that 200,000 people are trapped in the no-fire zone, whereas the Sri Lankan government estimates that there are fewer than 70,000 Tamils trapped.
  • The Sri Lankan army has allowed a Reuters journalist into the battlezone, providing a rare insight into a war that has been largely off-limits to journalists.

Sources:

  • Reuters
  • Sri Lankan government sources
  • UN estimates
  • Human rights groups
  • Sri Lankan military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara
  • Brigadier Shavendra Silva
  • High-ranking official speaking on condition of anonymity from Sri Lanka's capital, Colombo