by Jack Lee
For decades the Tamil Tigers of Sri Lanka have fought a vicious guerilla style war against the government in order to gain secession for the Tamil State. They became infamous for barbaric atrocities against civilians, including kidnappings and assassinations on high profile targets. They were known for recruiting child soldiers and inventing the suicide belt and using women in suicide attacks.
It is estimated that well over 70,000 people have died from their acts of terrorism and clashes with government forces. As of 2007 their death toll exceeded that of Al Qaeda, the Taliban and Hamas combined. 25 years of destruction and incalculable human suffering has made this struggle the longest running war in modern times.
In their final weeks when defeat was inevitable the Tamil Tigers sent a message to the government forces that they were ready to lay down their arms and surrender. To the great surprise of the Tamil fighters their peace offer was rejected. The reply was fight to the death! The exhausted and beleaguered Tamil forces kept retreating, but they were completely encircled and there was no possible escape. Last Sunday in a final desperate act to break out, they sent a number of suicide bombers against government soldiers. In one of the last chaotic fire fights about 70 rebels fled down a hillside to escape by boat. They were caught at the waters edge by machine gun fire. Government forces then closed in for the final assault on the last remaining outpost. The Tamil fighters within were slaughtered without mercy just as they had done to so many innocent victims in the past. The fate of the top rebel leader, Velupillai Prabhakaran, is uncertain, although it’s believed he has committed suicide with several of his top aides as government forces stormed their compound. Forensic testing has been ordered before making a press release.
In the past the Sri Lankan government has entered into numerous negotiations with the rebels and they’ve sought a number of peaceful resolutions. Each time it backfired and the rebels gained ground. This time it was different, it was an all out war and the Tamil Tigers are no more. Peace has been achieved, but only by total and complete victory over the enemy. I can’t help but wonder now if the rest of the world will some day realize this is what it takes to win against terrorism?