With all the big conflicts going around the world one tends to forget the smaller ones which are equally important & interesting. Their outcome is can also be of greater impact to other countries in the region. One such conflict is Sri Lankan government (Sinhala) vs Tamil Tigers (LTTE).
About few years back the LTTE was controlling much of the North & North East of Sri Lanka & also had strongholds on the North East (near Indian border). The Lankan army was considered to be one of the weakest in the world. LTTE is a very unique militant group as it posses land, naval as well as air power along with radars. There was a time when Lankan soldiers couldn't even compete with LTTE. In fact Lank army used to abondon their tanks to LTTE & run off. There was a point where Northern (Tamil) part of Lanka had vertually become a separate country & Lankan government had almost lost the battle.
However, recently with political changes in Sri Lanka came changes in the Lankan Army as well, especially in terms of motivation. A couple of year (or more) back the Lankan army launched a massive attack on the LTTE basis killing even some of the their top leaders. During this time LTTE also attacked convy of Pakistani ambassador as it blamed Pakistan for providing support to Lankan Army. The actions of LTTE proved its frustration.
This is now the recent situation:
Map from BBC's website
The Lankan army has reduced the LTTE strong holds & has freed large parts of land. The LTTE strong holds near the Indian sides has also been taken over by the Lankan army.
Lankan Army is now closing into the town of Kilinochchi. Many regional experts believe that the fall of town will bring vertual end to the LTTE.
KILINOCHCHI TOWN
* The capital of Kilinochchi District, part of the Northern Province of Sri Lanka
* Serves as the administrative centre and headquarters of the Tamil Tigers
* Rebels have their own judiciary and police force in the town
* According to the UN, 90% of population is Tamil
* Town surrounded by thousands of landmines, says the UN
* Government ordered aid agencies to leave, Sept 2008
(Above Info from BBC)
Where the world is getting a hard bashing in War against Terror should Sri Lanka, a very small state, be taken as an example?
About few years back the LTTE was controlling much of the North & North East of Sri Lanka & also had strongholds on the North East (near Indian border). The Lankan army was considered to be one of the weakest in the world. LTTE is a very unique militant group as it posses land, naval as well as air power along with radars. There was a time when Lankan soldiers couldn't even compete with LTTE. In fact Lank army used to abondon their tanks to LTTE & run off. There was a point where Northern (Tamil) part of Lanka had vertually become a separate country & Lankan government had almost lost the battle.
However, recently with political changes in Sri Lanka came changes in the Lankan Army as well, especially in terms of motivation. A couple of year (or more) back the Lankan army launched a massive attack on the LTTE basis killing even some of the their top leaders. During this time LTTE also attacked convy of Pakistani ambassador as it blamed Pakistan for providing support to Lankan Army. The actions of LTTE proved its frustration.
This is now the recent situation:
Map from BBC's website
The Lankan army has reduced the LTTE strong holds & has freed large parts of land. The LTTE strong holds near the Indian sides has also been taken over by the Lankan army.
Lankan Army is now closing into the town of Kilinochchi. Many regional experts believe that the fall of town will bring vertual end to the LTTE.
KILINOCHCHI TOWN
* The capital of Kilinochchi District, part of the Northern Province of Sri Lanka
* Serves as the administrative centre and headquarters of the Tamil Tigers
* Rebels have their own judiciary and police force in the town
* According to the UN, 90% of population is Tamil
* Town surrounded by thousands of landmines, says the UN
* Government ordered aid agencies to leave, Sept 2008
(Above Info from BBC)
Where the world is getting a hard bashing in War against Terror should Sri Lanka, a very small state, be taken as an example?