Whilst Sri Lanka believes its forces are on the brink of wiping out the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) after 30 years of war, the world is not so convinced.
Around the world, especially the amongst the Tamil Diaspora there is questions about the LTTE’s battle strategy of continuously pulling back, allowing the military to make grand claims.
In an opinion piece, The Calcutta Telegrapha said that even the Rajapakse brothers were bewildered with the overwhelming success of the army in the battle field.
“A much-enthused Gothabaya Rajapakse, the defence secretary and brother of the president, has even wondered aloud why no one had done this before.” reported the Calcutta Telegraph.
The Nation newspaper published in Sri Lanka labelled the LTTE’s performance in the war front as ‘abysmal’ and added that the war strategy of LTTE, who were believed to be invincible has greatly upset the Tamil diaspora and the countries which espoused a federal solution to Sri Lanka’s ethnic problem.
Whilst it is true that the LTTE has been on the back foot for sometime now, gradually losing territory, it has managed to withdraw without losing its military assets to the advancing army and has managed to keep its fighting capacity intact.
Also, whilst Sri Lankan military claims to have driven the LTTE into the jungle, this not true as the territory currently held by the LTTE mainly comprises of built up towns and villages, and it is the military which is laying siege to the LTTE that is in jungles.
Some Tamil observers believe that the LTTE, like in the late nineties has ceded territory in order to stretch the Sri Lankan military by committing troops to take over and hold large swathes of non-strategic land.
A Tamil observer, writing on his blog, commented that the Sri Lankan military expected the LTTE to take its last stand in Kilinochchi, considered to be its main bastion and administrative capital but was surprised when the LTTE fighters pulled out of the town suddenly.
The same story was repeated in Mullaitheevu town and Chaalai, considered to be the location of the largest Sea Tiger base. In both places the LTTE fought fiercely to inflict maximum casualty on the military and then withdrew without leaving any major arsenal or assets.
Army occupation of these two towns has resulted in two divisions, namely 59 and 55, being tied town, according to the blogger.
Stating the LTTE has taken its last stand in Puthukudiyurippu (PTK), the blogger explained that that both Chalai and Mulaitheevu are split in the middle by water inlets from the ocean.
“These create ideal natural defence lines for the LTTE to try to make a stand against the Sri Lankan army.” the blogger added.
While two divisions are sealed off on the coast, the remaining divisions are approaching from the South and West towards PTK, observer the blogger.
Interestingly the LTTE has allowed the Sri Lankan military to take position in the jungles, a terrain they are unused to, and is defending a built up area, according to the website.
“While all military analysts expected the LTTE to make their stand in the jungle, they have done the exact opposite.”
“The LTTE is planning huge counter strikes into the jungles occupied by the army. In such a situation the Sri Lankan army will be unable to call in air strikes, as the thick jungle canopy will not provide the necessary visibility.” the blogger predicted.
Whether this argument is true or not, the international community including the United States does not believe the Sri Lankan government’s claim of outright victory in the coming weeks or months. They anticipate a prolonged war.
