Tamil rebels yesterday launched a ground and air attack on a military complex in northern Sri Lanka, killing at least 10 soldiers and losing an equal number of their own fighters, the rebels and the military said.
At least two rebel aircraft targeted the runway at the air force complex in Vavuniya, 240km north of Colombo, and one was shot down later off Mullaitivu, 60km from the base, military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanaykkara said.
But the military said it was able to foil what it called a “major attack” on the complex, which includes the security forces headquarters from which military operations are being directed in the government’s efforts to recapture rebel-held areas in the north.
The defense ministry said rebels had also directed artillery fire at the security forces complex, where a police officer was also killed.
At least 23 security personnel were injured in the fighting.
The rebels, who are fighting for an autonomous homeland for the Tamil ethnic minority, deployed their aircraft for the second time in a week. Last week, they dropped bombs on a navy camp in the northeastern area of Trincomalee, injuring 10 sailors.
Nanayakkara said the military mounted an artillery attack on rebel positions from which the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam launched its attack on the military complex.
Residents said the fighting around the base lasted for nearly two hours.
The battle occurred as government troops continued an offensive to recapture rebel-held areas in the north with the aim of finishing the mission by year’s end.
The military claims it has moved into the rebels’ final two stronghold districts in the north.
The area is the last to be held by the rebels after the military recaptured rebel-held territory in eastern Sri Lanka last year.
In related news, the defense ministry ordered all international and local non-governmental organizations carrying out relief work in rebel-held areas to leave, citing “safety concerns.”
Foreign and local workers are also barred from entering rebel-controlled areas, it said, although officials said UN agencies and the Red Cross are not to be affected by the order.
About 200,000 civilians have been displaced by the fighting, and almost all of them are moving further into rebel-controlled areas despite the government announcing safe passage for them to leave.
The military has said rebels are not letting civilians leave, but civilians were quoted by governmental officials in the area as saying they were reluctant to enter unfamiliar military-controlled areas.
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