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'Civilians killed' in Sri Lanka 'Civilians killed' in Sri Lanka
(10 minutes later)
At least five civilians have died after a makeshift hospital was shelled in a rebel-held area of northern Sri Lanka, health officials there say.At least five civilians have died after a makeshift hospital was shelled in a rebel-held area of northern Sri Lanka, health officials there say.
The army has strongly denied hitting the hospital, and there is no way to confirm the claims as independent journalists are barred from the area. Pro-rebel websites blame the army for the deaths, but the military has strongly denied being responsible.
Doctors in the Mullaitivu area said more than 50 civilians had died in shelling over the past three days. There is no way to confirm any of the claims as independent journalists are barred from the conflict zone.
The rebels' sole remaining stronghold is the area around Mullaitivu. After a series of defeats in recent months, the area around Mullaitivu is the rebels' sole remaining stronghold.
Doctors in the Mullaitivu district said that more than 50 civilians had died in shelling over the past three days.
There are fears for some 250,000 civilians trapped in the fighting.
On Wednesday the military said it had designated a safe zone for civilians as it pushes ahead with its offensive in the Mullaitivu area.
Just a day later, the pro-rebel TamilNet website said the army had shelled the hospital.
The UN has criticised the Tigers for not allowing safe passage to its workers in areas the rebels control.
Military offensive
The Tamil Tigers have been fighting for a separate homeland for 25 years. At least 70,000 people have been killed in the insurgency.
The rebels had established a de facto state squeezed between government-controlled Jaffna in the north and the rest of the country.
But the latest military offensive has forced the rebels to give up much of their territory.
The military is on high alert to prevent the possible escape of top Tamil Tiger leader Velupillai Prabhakaran, although some analysts say it is unlikely he will be captured alive.