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| Sri Lanka army 'takes Tiger base' | Sri Lanka army 'takes Tiger base' |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Sri Lankan soldiers have entered the strategically important Tamil Tiger stronghold of Pooneryn, according to the ministry of defence. | Sri Lankan soldiers have entered the strategically important Tamil Tiger stronghold of Pooneryn, according to the ministry of defence. |
| The move follows months of fighting and officials say pitched battles are still taking place in the area. | The move follows months of fighting and officials say pitched battles are still taking place in the area. |
| If the army succeeds in taking control, it will have access to the land route up the north-west coast to Jaffna. | If the army succeeds in taking control, it will have access to the land route up the north-west coast to Jaffna. |
| The peninsula has been cut off by territory held by the rebels, who want a separate state for the Tamil people. | |
| The Tamil Tigers have not yet commented on the reports. | The Tamil Tigers have not yet commented on the reports. |
| 'Last bastion' | 'Last bastion' |
| Troops entered Pooneryn on Saturday morning, according to the defence ministry. | Troops entered Pooneryn on Saturday morning, according to the defence ministry. |
| It said in a statement that solders had crossed marshlands south of the town during the night, and then marched into what was described as the rebels' last bastion on the western coast. | It said in a statement that solders had crossed marshlands south of the town during the night, and then marched into what was described as the rebels' last bastion on the western coast. |
| It added that the Tigers were putting up stiff resistance and that pitched battles were still going on in the area. | It added that the Tigers were putting up stiff resistance and that pitched battles were still going on in the area. |
| For months, amid heavy fighting, troops have pushed up the north-western coast towards Pooneryn, trying to open a land route to Jaffna, situated just across a lagoon from the town. | For months, amid heavy fighting, troops have pushed up the north-western coast towards Pooneryn, trying to open a land route to Jaffna, situated just across a lagoon from the town. |
| The far northern peninsula is in government hands, but has been cut off by territory held by the Tamil Tigers. | |
| The only ways in and out for troops, supplies and civilians have been by sea and air. | The only ways in and out for troops, supplies and civilians have been by sea and air. |
| The rebels, who have been fighting for decades for a separate state for the island's ethnic Tamil minority, have not commented on the defence ministry's claims. | The rebels, who have been fighting for decades for a separate state for the island's ethnic Tamil minority, have not commented on the defence ministry's claims. |
| The government has barred independent reporters from the areas where battles are taking place. | The government has barred independent reporters from the areas where battles are taking place. |
| Army spokesman Brig Udaya Nanayakkara said government forces would now concentrate their thrust on the remaining territory held by the Tamil Tigers in the north-east of the island. | Army spokesman Brig Udaya Nanayakkara said government forces would now concentrate their thrust on the remaining territory held by the Tamil Tigers in the north-east of the island. |
| President Mahinda Rajapaksa has pledged to bring the rebels to their knees, unless they give up their arms and surrender. | President Mahinda Rajapaksa has pledged to bring the rebels to their knees, unless they give up their arms and surrender. |