|
The
Battle for Jaffna
Sri Lanka's
military has faced its worst setbacks in the last month since the battle
for a separate Tamil homeland began in 1983. Beleagured troops are engaged
in heavy, savage fighting with the LTTE about 30 km from Jaffna, which
was wrested from rebel control in 1996. For most of the 1980s, the army
was confined to Jaffna Fort, so if the town of 50,000 falls, it could be
argued this is no more than back to square one. But if the army is driven
out and Tiger leader Prabhakaran tries to set up an independent northern
province, it would be the first step towards an independent Tamil homeland.
Could
this be the decisive conflict?
Jaffna Peninsula: The Battle Ground
Interactive
map | Firepower:
Lion Vs Tiger
 March
8, 2000: Two Israeli-built Dvora-class fast attack craft of the Sri
Lankan navy are sunk off Nagarkovil on the Vadamarachhi coast, clearing
the way for the LTTE to bring in supplies from the main Tiger base of Mullaitivu.
Top
 March
27: LTTE offensive begins. Military camps are overrun by human waves
of rebel fighters. Before this the Tigers held the entire Vadamaracchi
coast from Nagarkovil to Kattaikadu
Top
 April
1-7: Using artillery and multi-barrel rocket launchers, LTTE fighters
seize several army camps and cut off highway A9, the main supply route
to 20,000 troops in the critical
Elephant Pass garrison. Top
 April
9-12: Backed by Air Force Kfir aircraft and artillery, troops recapture
the main supply route after a fierce 11-hour battle. At least 130 soldiers
killed and about 1,000 wounded. Top
 April
22: The strategic garrison of Elephant Pass, an isthmus land route
and gateway to the northern Jaffna peninsula, falls to the LTTE. Top
 April
25-30: Rebels push further north, taking control of Pallai town and
other camps, forcing the army deeper into the peninsula. Top
 May
2-6: Fighting rages on two fronts: near Kilali, 24 km from Jaffna,
and Pallai, both vital defence lines protecting more than 5 lakh civilians,
now threatened by long-range artillery battles. Top
 May
9: The LTTE stops its advance and offers a ceasefire so that 27,000
beleagured army troops can withdraw. The government says Jaffna will be
defended to the last man. Top
 May
12-15: Fierce fighting rages around Jaffna. LTTE reaches outskirts
but troops aided by air strikes stop further advances. Nearly 1 lakh refugees
stream into India.Top
 May
17: Fresh LTTE offensive begins after three-day lull. Rebel artillery
and mortar force army troops to pull back to prepared positions north east
of Jaffna. Government calls for peace. Top
 May
18-20: With the army's land supply route cut off, Tigers launch artillery
attacks against the only two remaining supply points, Palali air base and
Kankesantura naval base.Top
 March
22 to 26: Continued shelling of Palali air base and Kankesantura naval
base force helicopter drops of supplies to embattled troops. LTTE calls
for surrender. Fierce fighting around Chavakachcheri, which both sides
claim to be in their control. Fresh fighting near Batticaloa. Top
|
