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| S Lanka troops 'in rebel bastion' | S Lanka troops 'in rebel bastion' |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Sri Lankan troops have entered the last Tamil Tiger rebel stronghold of Mullaitivu in the north-east of the island, military sources say. | Sri Lankan troops have entered the last Tamil Tiger rebel stronghold of Mullaitivu in the north-east of the island, military sources say. |
| The town has not been captured and intense fighting is going on, the military spokesman told the BBC. | |
| There has been no comment from the Tamil Tigers, who have suffered a series of reverses in recent months. | There has been no comment from the Tamil Tigers, who have suffered a series of reverses in recent months. |
| The government has vowed to crush the rebels, who have been fighting for a separate homeland for 25 years. | The government has vowed to crush the rebels, who have been fighting for a separate homeland for 25 years. |
| At least 70,000 people have been killed during the insurgency. | At least 70,000 people have been killed during the insurgency. |
| Stall tactics | |
| A government spokesman said troops from the 59th division had entered Mullaitivu and that it was "a matter of time before they take full control of the area". | A government spokesman said troops from the 59th division had entered Mullaitivu and that it was "a matter of time before they take full control of the area". |
| See map of the region | |
| Tamil Tiger rebels blasted through the walls of a reservoir on Saturday in an attempt to stall the advancing troops, the military said. | Tamil Tiger rebels blasted through the walls of a reservoir on Saturday in an attempt to stall the advancing troops, the military said. |
| The government has won a string of military victories in recent months, including the capture of the rebels' de facto capital of Kilinochchi. | The government has won a string of military victories in recent months, including the capture of the rebels' de facto capital of Kilinochchi. |
| The rebels are now confined to their sole remaining stronghold - the area surrounding the town of Mullaitivu. | The rebels are now confined to their sole remaining stronghold - the area surrounding the town of Mullaitivu. |
| There is no way of confirming any of the claims as independent journalists are barred from conflict zone. | There is no way of confirming any of the claims as independent journalists are barred from conflict zone. |
| As fighting continues, aid agencies say they are concerned over the safety of 250,000 civilians reportedly trapped inside the conflict zones. | |
| Earlier this week the military said it had designated a safe zone for civilians as it pushed ahead with its offensive in the Mullaitivu area. | |
| MAP OF THE REGION Click here to return |