Sri Lanka

from bbc news
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/south_asia/newsid_1415000/141517…

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By Frances Harrison in Colombo
The Sri Lankan military has launched a fresh assault on Tamil Tiger rebel positions in the northern Jaffna peninsula.
The military spokesman, Brigadier Sanath Karunaratne, said air sorties were still under way and he could not give any details except to say they were striking pre-determined targets in Pooneryn and Nagarkovil.
These are the first reported air strikes for months and they come amid fears in the south that the Tigers are preparing for a major attack.
Air force jets have been bombing Tiger positions close to Elephant Pass, the narrow strip of land that connects the Jaffna peninsula to the rest of Sri Lanka.
By Frances Harrison in Colombo
The Sri Lankan military has launched a fresh assault on Tamil Tiger rebel positions in the northern Jaffna peninsula.
The military spokesman, Brigadier Sanath Karunaratne, said air sorties were still under way and he could not give any details except to say they were striking pre-determined targets in Pooneryn and Nagarkovil.
These are the first reported air strikes for months and they come amid fears in the south that the Tigers are preparing for a major attack.
Air force jets have been bombing Tiger positions close to Elephant Pass, the narrow strip of land that connects the Jaffna peninsula to the rest of Sri Lanka.
The military says it has been targeting Pooneryn, a potential staging post for a rebel attack across the lagoon on Jaffna Town, which is currently in government control.
People in the vicinity said they could hear the sound of Mig fighter jets flying overhead from early morning and later heard what they thought was the sound of shelling by the Sri Lankan army.
There is no news of casualties from either side yet.
The attack comes amid increasing concern among military sources in Colombo that the Tigers have been massing troops for an assault to recapture the Jaffna peninsula, which is undoubtedly their long-term aim.
Defence analysts say the two-pronged attacks by the air force suggest the government has decided to launch a pre-emptive strike.
They say unofficial reports that the military is using artillery after softening up its targets with aerial bombardment suggest a fairly major operation may be under way.
The last big offensive against the Tigers – in April – is generally agreed to have been a disaster for the army.
Some 300 soldiers were killed and 2,000 others injured and the commander responsible has been transferred.
Reports say the Tigers have spent the last six months of relative calm on the battlefield bringing in fresh supplies of weapons and training their fighters.
Military analysts say they are now well prepared for any attack on their positions.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/olmedia/1415000/images/_1415179_sri_lanka_pass_15…
http://news.bbc.co.uk/olmedia/1415000/images/_1415179_antitank_archive1…
http://news.bbc.co.uk/olmedia/1415000/images/_1415179_soldiers_ap300.jpg

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what do uou lot think ?
rabie :9