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| Fierce clashes rage in Sri Lanka | |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| There have been intense clashes between Sri Lankan security forces and Tamil Tigers in the country's north-east. | There have been intense clashes between Sri Lankan security forces and Tamil Tigers in the country's north-east. |
| The Sri Lankan defence ministry says troops have encircled scores of Tamil Tigers in a small stretch of land in Mullaitivu district. | The Sri Lankan defence ministry says troops have encircled scores of Tamil Tigers in a small stretch of land in Mullaitivu district. |
| But pro-rebel websites say the Tigers have mounted fierce counter-attacks, inflicting heavy casualties on troops. | |
| Meanwhile, the World Food Programme says it has sent more than 1,000 tonnes of food to trapped civilians. | |
| Final phase | Final phase |
| The Sri Lankan military says it is on the final phase of its offensive to capture remaining Tamil Tiger positions in the north-eastern Mullaitivu district. | The Sri Lankan military says it is on the final phase of its offensive to capture remaining Tamil Tiger positions in the north-eastern Mullaitivu district. |
| See map of the region | See map of the region |
| There are reports of ferocious close-quarter battles between the advancing soldiers and the rebels. | There are reports of ferocious close-quarter battles between the advancing soldiers and the rebels. |
| The defence ministry says that troops have now surrounded a group of Tamil Tigers in about a square kilometre of territory after capturing a key supply route of the rebels in the Puthukudiyiruppu area. | The defence ministry says that troops have now surrounded a group of Tamil Tigers in about a square kilometre of territory after capturing a key supply route of the rebels in the Puthukudiyiruppu area. |
| According to the defence ministry, heavy fighting is still continuing in the area and soldiers have recovered at least 21 bodies of rebels killed in the fighting on Wednesday. | According to the defence ministry, heavy fighting is still continuing in the area and soldiers have recovered at least 21 bodies of rebels killed in the fighting on Wednesday. |
| The Tamil Tigers have not reacted to the military's version of events. | The Tamil Tigers have not reacted to the military's version of events. |
| But pro-rebel websites said the guerrillas had been fiercely resisting the army's advance and that hundreds of soldiers had been killed in the fighting. | But pro-rebel websites said the guerrillas had been fiercely resisting the army's advance and that hundreds of soldiers had been killed in the fighting. |
| Independent journalists are not allowed to report from inside the conflict zone. | Independent journalists are not allowed to report from inside the conflict zone. |
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| The human cost of Sri Lankan fighting | The human cost of Sri Lankan fighting |
| On Wednesday, the government once again firmly rejected calls for a ceasefire but said the military would suspend its attacks to ensure the safety of civilians fleeing the war zone. | On Wednesday, the government once again firmly rejected calls for a ceasefire but said the military would suspend its attacks to ensure the safety of civilians fleeing the war zone. |
| The World Food Programme says its food consignment on a government chartered ship comes amid increasing concern for civilians. | |
| "The government's timely provision of a large capacity vessel enabled WFP and other partners to ship this urgently needed assistance," said Adnan Khan, WFP country director for Sri Lanka. | |
| It is estimated that between 40,000 and 150,000 civilians are trapped in the conflict zone in the north-east. | |
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