01-30-2006, 02:50 PM
Report: Sri Lankan rebels reinforcing their feared 'Sea Tiger' naval force
Associated Press, Mon January 30, 2006 03:05 EST
DILIP GANGULY - Associated Press Writer - COLOMBO, Sri Lanka - (AP)
Sri Lanka - 's Tamil Tiger rebels have trained more fighters for their ``Sea Tiger'' naval force, sparking yet more fears that a fraying government-rebel truce may snap, a defense analyst and pro-rebel Web-site said. The Tamil Tigers began fighting in 1983 for a separate state for Sri Lanka - 's minority ethnic Tamils, accusing the majority Sinhalese of discrimination. The conflict claimed at least 65,000 lives before a Norway-brokered cease-fire in 2002.
However, peace talks stalled over disagreements, and assassinations and attacks on government forces in recent months threaten to scuttle the truce. The military blames the violence on the Tamil Tigers, who deny responsibility.
On Wednesday, the government and rebels agreed to cease all hostilities and prepare for a new round of peace talks in Switzerland next month.
<b>The Sea Tigers a Tamil Tiger wing with about 1,000 men and women were feared for their fierce and often successful attacks on Sri Lanka - 's navy during the civil war. </b>
Within the rebels' navy, a branch dubbed the Black Sea Tigers have rammed small, explosive-packed boats into targets in deadly suicide attacks.
An explosive-laden boat rammed a Sri Lankan navy vessel in the northern waters on Jan. 7 and killed 13 sailors in an attack blamed on the Tigers, who denied responsibility.
<b>The Sea Tigers won a crucial battle for their side in 2000, when they landed 1,500 guerrillas to help successfully seize the highly strategic Elephant Pass from government troops. The pass is a narrow causeway connecting the bulk of Sri Lanka - with the island country's Tamil-dominated north.
The Tigers have since controlled the pass the only land corridor between Sri Lanka - 's north and south</b>
Associated Press
Associated Press, Mon January 30, 2006 03:05 EST
DILIP GANGULY - Associated Press Writer - COLOMBO, Sri Lanka - (AP)
Sri Lanka - 's Tamil Tiger rebels have trained more fighters for their ``Sea Tiger'' naval force, sparking yet more fears that a fraying government-rebel truce may snap, a defense analyst and pro-rebel Web-site said. The Tamil Tigers began fighting in 1983 for a separate state for Sri Lanka - 's minority ethnic Tamils, accusing the majority Sinhalese of discrimination. The conflict claimed at least 65,000 lives before a Norway-brokered cease-fire in 2002.
However, peace talks stalled over disagreements, and assassinations and attacks on government forces in recent months threaten to scuttle the truce. The military blames the violence on the Tamil Tigers, who deny responsibility.
On Wednesday, the government and rebels agreed to cease all hostilities and prepare for a new round of peace talks in Switzerland next month.
<b>The Sea Tigers a Tamil Tiger wing with about 1,000 men and women were feared for their fierce and often successful attacks on Sri Lanka - 's navy during the civil war. </b>
Within the rebels' navy, a branch dubbed the Black Sea Tigers have rammed small, explosive-packed boats into targets in deadly suicide attacks.
An explosive-laden boat rammed a Sri Lankan navy vessel in the northern waters on Jan. 7 and killed 13 sailors in an attack blamed on the Tigers, who denied responsibility.
<b>The Sea Tigers won a crucial battle for their side in 2000, when they landed 1,500 guerrillas to help successfully seize the highly strategic Elephant Pass from government troops. The pass is a narrow causeway connecting the bulk of Sri Lanka - with the island country's Tamil-dominated north.
The Tigers have since controlled the pass the only land corridor between Sri Lanka - 's north and south</b>
Associated Press
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