Posted on 09/02/2006 8:20:38 PM PDT by blam
'100 Tigers killed' in sea battle with Sri Lankan navy
By Michael Hirst
(Filed: 03/09/2006)
Sri lanka's navy claimed to have sunk 12 Tamil Tiger boats during a six-hour sea battle yesterday that killed up to 100 rebels.
The fighting started late on Friday when about 20 Tiger vessels, including five suicide boats packed with explosives, attempted to attack a naval base at Kankasanthurai, a key port on the northern Jaffna peninsula.
A patrol, including fast-attack gun boats, drove the Tigers into open water where the battle continued until dawn yesterday.
TamilNet, a pro-rebel website, claimed that two navy vessels were sunk and that 30 sailors were missing. The government denied the claim, saying that two boats had been lightly damaged and two sailors wounded.
"Twelve Sea Tiger craft, including five suicide boats, were destroyed, killing over 80 Tiger terrorists and injuring many others," said a spokesman. "The remaining craft left the area."
He said the Tiger flotilla was apparently trying to attack the isolated base, where there are severe food shortages due to disruption of government supply routes.
The main road to Jaffna passes through rebel-held territory, and heavy fighting had cut off the peninsula – home to 350,000 civilians and 40,000 troops – before the army's offensive last week. Fourteen soldiers and as many as 120 Tigers have been killed since the offensive began. On Friday, the International Committee of the Red Cross warned Sri Lanka's warring parties that thousands would die unless supplies reached the peninsula.
The government is preparing to send food and other items to Jaffna today, but humanitarian workers say the army is hampering aid deliveries in rebel areas.
The United Nations estimates that 220,000 people have fled their homes after near-daily shelling and air strikes since April, and the exodus is picking up pace. "It looks as though this is a never-ending war," said Sarojini Rajadurai, 38, a widowed mother of three who was considering leaving her home. " I feel there is a curse on the Tamil community, and for that matter on Sri Lanka."
The Tigers have been fighting for an independent homeland for the Tamil minority for more than 20 years, claiming discrimination by the island's Sinhalese majority.
The conflict has killed more than 65,000 people and, although a ceasefire was brokered in 2002, attacks have soared again, bringing the island to the brink of civil war.
Tamil Tigers today, the Bogata Bears tomorrow, and the Liberian Lions next week on GameBoy.
I can't say I am sorry to see Tamil Tigers go to their eternal reward. They're the only people other than Muslim jihadis to use suicide bombers.
Has PETA been notified?
Whew! I thought 100 four legged tigers were killed. Felt terrible until I read the post. Now I don't feel terrible anymore. LOL
I'm gonna take a wild guess and say he's a democrat.
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