44 Killed In Fierce Fighting In Sri Lanka
Komfie Manalo - All Headline News Foreign Correspondent Colombo, Sri Lanka (AHN) - The Sri Lankan army and the Tiger Tamil rebels are locked in fierce ground battle resulting in the deaths of 44 combatants from both sides. Military officials told AP that the battle is the bloodiest since the two sides forged a cease-fire in 2002. The army launched air strikes against Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam positions using Israeli-made Kfjr jets. Ground troops are also conducting offensives against the rebels. Defense officials confirmed the death of nine soldiers and 15 wounded when they tried to take back control of an irrigation project that was captured by the rebels in the previous weeks. But the military says over 35 Tiger rebels were killed since the fighting started. AP says the LTTE is accusing the military of virtually declaring war on them with the latest ground and air offensive which began last Wednesday. They vowed to resist an army advance to open a canal which they blocked 10 days ago. Army spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella insist the limited ground offensive was a "humanitarian gesture" with the primary objective of ending LTTE blockage of the Maavilaru waterway in northeastern Trincomalee district that had deprived thousands of farmer of water.
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