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16 killed as Sri Lanka captures rebel camp
Sri Lankan troops have captured a strategically important Tamil Tiger camp on the islands western coast, the military said on Sunday, as government forces continue their push against the rebels' northern stronghold. The capture of the rebel base in the northwestern district of Mannar came three days after the military said it had struck a "fatal blow" against the Tigers by capturing the northwestern town of Vidattaltivu, the main base of the rebels' sea wing. "The army, with troops from 58 Division and Army Commandos captured the largest LTTE base in the Illupaikadavai area, about 10 kilometres north of Vidattaltivu," said military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara, referring to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. "Troops have now advanced nearly 2 kilometres ahead of Illupaikadavai and are now in the process of consolidating their positions." Nanayakkara also said 48-hour fighting in the area had killed 15 Tamil Tiger rebels for the loss of one soldier. Fighting in the 25-year civil war is now concentrated in the north after the Sri Lankan army, which has vowed to finish off the Tigers this year, drove the rebels out of their eastern enclave in 2007. There is still no clear winner on the horizon as the Tigers regularly retaliate with suicide attacks and roadside bombs, deterring some tourists and worrying investors in the $27 billion economy. An estimated 70,000 people have died since the civil war began in 1983. Posted by: Fred 2008-07-21 |
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