August 16, 2007: A final offensive against the
remaining LTTE bastion in the north is being delayed by the rainy season, a
shortage of troops, and a determined foe. Many soldiers are still in the
recently liberated eastern province of Sri Lanka. There are still several
hundred LTTE gunmen gone underground, and threatening guerilla warfare, and
many arms caches to be found. These hidden supplies of weapons, munitions and bomb
making materials have to be found, otherwise LTTE, or criminals will find the
stuff and use it.
The army has also found that that tactics it used
in the east, don't work as well in the north. The army destroyed the LTTE in
the east by fighting a guerilla war against the LTTE, using an advantage in air
power and artillery to support small units of troops sent into LTTE territory
and terrorizing the terrorists. But the northern territory is not as wide open
as in the east, and the LTTE troops are more experienced, and thicker on the
ground. Small army units trying to replicate the tactics used in the east, have
gotten beat up pretty bad, and forced to retreat. But the aggressive army
patrols have succeeded in locating more LTTE bases, and these are being destroyed
by artillery and the air force.
Meanwhile, the LTTE in the
north continue to conduct their own guerilla campaign, although they are taking
heavier losses than in the past. Where the LTTE is most vulnerable is at
sea, and its "Sea Tigers" force is being hammered more than at any
time in the past. In the last week, two leaders of the LTTE sea smuggling force
were killed in clashes with the navy. The interruption of smuggling boats by
the navy this year, has forced the LTTE to use their ammo reserves, and not
fire as many artillery and mortar shells. This makes life a lot easier, and
safer, for the army, which has plenty of ammo to fire back at the LTTE. But the
army also knows that the LTTE hard core is in the northern part of the country,
and this crew has said it will fight to the death. The army generals believe
the LTTE will put up stiff resistance, and are not about to rush into a
final battle without taking every precaution. That could take another year.
