This picture provided by the Tamil Tiger rebels shows rebels fighting against Sri Lanka's military in Vannearikku'lam village, in the de facto rebel capital of Kilinochchi, 330 km (205 miles) north of the capital Colombo September 2, 2008. Battles between Sri Lanka's military and separatist Tamil Tiger guerrillas killed at least 57 people when the rebels counterattacked against an army thrust into their strongholds, the military said on Sept. 3, 2008. Picture taken September 2, 2008. REUTERS/Tamil Tiger Rebels/Handout (SRI LANKA). Heavy Fighting In Sri Lanka As Troops Move In On Tiger 'Capital' -- Yahoo News/AFP
COLOMBO (AFP) - Government forces and Tamil separatists were locked in heavy combat in northern Sri Lanka with at least 41 rebels and five soldiers killed in fresh fighting, the defence ministry said Thursday.
At least 30 government soldiers were also wounded following the latest clashes with the rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) since Wednesday, the ministry said in a statement.
"The LTTE continues to steadily lose manpower as the Sri Lankan security forces continue to advance further into the heart of the LTTE administrative power, Kilinochchi," the ministry said.
"This is a major setback for the terrorists."
The military has said that it wants to dismantle the Tigers' de facto mini-state by capturing the town of Kilinochchi, 330 kilometres (200 miles) north of Colombo.
Government troops were now said to be within striking distance.
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More News On Sri Lanka
At least 41 die as Sri Lanka bears down -- Yahoo News/Reuters
50 killed in LTTE, army skirmishes -- Hindustan Times
Sri Lankan military says 53 killed in heavy fighting -- AP
Rebels, military report heavy Sri Lanka fighting -- International Herald Tribune
Lankan army captures rebel stronghold -- Hindustan Times
Tigers' backs to the wall -- Asia Times
Tamil Tigers putting up stiff resistance: rebel website -- AFP
Sri Lanka Rebels Weakened, Still a Threat, Defense Analysts Say -- Bloomberg
Bodies swapped in north Sri Lanka -- BBC
Sri Lankan Army receives 19 bodies of soldiers killed by rebels -- China View
My Comment: The Tiger LTTE Capital is within artillery range right now. The Tigers are not going to give up easy, and are prepared to kill as many soldiers as possible. The LTTE cannot win this war, but they are determined that a high death toll among soldiers and civilians will be their legacy.
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