LTTE Vanquished in 2009

The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) was a militant organization that fought for Tamil independence from Sri Lanka. The conflict between the LTTE and the Sri Lankan government lasted for over 25 years and resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of people.

1. Background

The roots of the conflict go back to the independence of Sri Lanka from British colonial rule in 1948. The Tamil minority felt marginalized by the Sinhalese majority, who dominated politics and the economy.

In the 1970s, the LTTE emerged as the most militant group fighting for Tamil independence. It carried out numerous attacks on the Sri Lankan military and civilians. The Sri Lankan government responded with brutal force, leading to a cycle of violence that lasted for decades.

2. Final Phase of the Conflict

In 2005, Mahinda Rajapaksa was elected President of Sri Lanka on a promise to defeat the LTTE. He launched a major military offensive in 2006, which gradually pushed the LTTE into a small area in the north-east of the country.

In 2009, the Sri Lankan military launched a final assault on the LTTE's stronghold in the town of Mullaitivu. After months of heavy fighting, the Sri Lankan army declared victory on May 18, 2009.

3. Humanitarian Crisis

The final phase of the conflict was marked by a massive humanitarian crisis. Tens of thousands of civilians were trapped in the war zone, and both sides were accused of human rights violations.

The Sri Lankan government was accused of using heavy artillery and aerial bombardment in densely populated civilian areas, causing many civilian deaths. The LTTE was accused of using civilians as human shields and recruiting child soldiers.

4. Aftermath

The end of the conflict brought a sense of relief to many Sri Lankans who had suffered through decades of violence. However, it also left deep scars on the country.

The Sri Lankan government was accused of failing to address the grievances of the Tamil minority, which could lead to renewed conflict in the future. The LTTE's ideology of Tamil nationalism still has many supporters, both in Sri Lanka and in the Tamil diaspora around the world.

In conclusion, the LTTE was vanquished in 2009 after a long and bloody conflict with the Sri Lankan government. The end of the conflict brought relief to many Sri Lankans, but also left deep scars on the country. The root causes of the conflict, including the marginalization of the Tamil minority, still need to be addressed to prevent future violence.