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Major battle in north-west Lanka | Major battle in north-west Lanka |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Hundreds of Sri Lankan troops have moved into Tamil Tiger-controlled territory in the north-west of the country, the rebels say. | Hundreds of Sri Lankan troops have moved into Tamil Tiger-controlled territory in the north-west of the country, the rebels say. |
The army denies the move but says it has killed 20 rebels and lost three soldiers in heavy shelling to "neutralise" a Tamil Tiger threat. | The army denies the move but says it has killed 20 rebels and lost three soldiers in heavy shelling to "neutralise" a Tamil Tiger threat. |
In the east, government forces are still trying to drive the Tigers from pockets they control. | In the east, government forces are still trying to drive the Tigers from pockets they control. |
More than 4,000 people have died since fighting flared up again in late 2005. | More than 4,000 people have died since fighting flared up again in late 2005. |
Analysts say the island is sliding back towards full-scale civil war, although a 2002 ceasefire remains nominally in force. | Analysts say the island is sliding back towards full-scale civil war, although a 2002 ceasefire remains nominally in force. |
Reports from the Mannar area say thousands of refugees have sought refuge in a church in Madhu. | |
'Human shields' | 'Human shields' |
The Tigers' military spokesman, Rasiah Ilanthiriyan, said some 300 soldiers had taken control of a village inside Tiger-held territory in the district of Mannar and were using Tamil civilians as human shields. | |
The army has denied the allegation. | The army has denied the allegation. |
Military spokesman Brig Prasad Samarasinghe says an operation is underway to destroy Tamil Tiger (LTTE) artillery positions. | Military spokesman Brig Prasad Samarasinghe says an operation is underway to destroy Tamil Tiger (LTTE) artillery positions. |
"The LTTE is attacking with mortars... without considering the safety of the civilians in the area. Three soldiers were killed and 4 injured," he said, the Reuters news agency reports. | |
"We have retaliated to neutralise them and we have observed more than 20 Tiger dead bodies." | "We have retaliated to neutralise them and we have observed more than 20 Tiger dead bodies." |
On Thursday, soldiers shot dead 11 people the army said were rebels at Omantai which is also on the de facto border. Two more were killed in Jaffna in the far north. | On Thursday, soldiers shot dead 11 people the army said were rebels at Omantai which is also on the de facto border. Two more were killed in Jaffna in the far north. |
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