Sri Lanka: The Battle of Trincomalee

The Battle of Trincomalee

August 31, 2006: The LTTE has sent more gunmen to Trincomalee, to resist army attempts to capture or displace LTTE artillery positions south of the city. The ground fighting is pretty intense, with several hundred casualties a day.

August 29, 2006: The army has launched a new offensive against LTTE forces holding territory in the north, and, in effect, besieging the city of Trincomalee. This has increased the casualty count to over a hundred a day. Most of the damage is being done with bombs and artillery. The LTTE has been cutting access to Trincomalee with howitzers and mortars in four villages south of the city.

August 28, 2006: Over the weekend, a supply ship docked in the northern port of Trincomalee, and began evacuating foreigners and the seriously injured. The fighting between government and LTTE forces continues on a low level, with a few dozen casualties a day.

August 27, 2006: The recent assassination attempt against the Pakistani ambassador apparently comes from the LTTE belief that Pakistani military advisors, and weapons exports, are one reason for the success of the Sril Lankan military. This is particularly true of the Sri Lankan air force, which has been much more effective this time around, than they were four years ago, when the ceasefire began. Then again, even before the 2002 ceasefire, the air force was getting new aircraft, more training and improved leadership.

August 26, 2006: Acting on a tip, police seized weapons, bomb making material and arrested 17 suspected LTTE terrorists near the capital. Documents and interrogations indicate that the LTTE was planning major terrorist attacks in the capital. While most Tamils live in the east and north, many still live throughout Sri Lanka, and some of these Tamils belong to the LTTE.

August 25, 2006: The revived war has caused over 200,000 civilians to flee their homes so far.