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Sri Lanka clash kills '15 rebels' Sri Lanka clash kills '15 rebels'
(about 8 hours later)
The Sri Lanka government says 15 Tamil Tiger rebels have been killed in a series of clashes in the north and east of the country in the past 48 hours.The Sri Lanka government says 15 Tamil Tiger rebels have been killed in a series of clashes in the north and east of the country in the past 48 hours.
A defence ministry spokesman said more rebels are believed to have lost their lives in the clashes.A defence ministry spokesman said more rebels are believed to have lost their lives in the clashes.
The rebels have confirmed that six of their members were killed in the latest clashes on Thursday. The rebels confirmed that six of their members died in the latest clashes on Thursday. It was not possible to verify independently either side's claims.
Despite a truce still being in place on paper, Sri Lanka has been sliding back towards civil war. Despite a truce on paper, Sri Lanka has been sliding back towards civil war.
More than 4,000 people have been killed in the violence in the past 15 months.More than 4,000 people have been killed in the violence in the past 15 months.
According to the defence ministry, a foot patrol of navy troops was fired on by rebels on Kayts island, off the government-held Jaffna peninsula.According to the defence ministry, a foot patrol of navy troops was fired on by rebels on Kayts island, off the government-held Jaffna peninsula.
They shot back and later found two fighters dead in the early hours of the morning.They shot back and later found two fighters dead in the early hours of the morning.
Elsewhere in the north-west, there have been confrontations around the front lines that divide government and Tiger-controlled areas.Elsewhere in the north-west, there have been confrontations around the front lines that divide government and Tiger-controlled areas.
'Mini state''Mini state'
Military personnel have been operating there in small groups for weeks, tracking down rebel positions.Military personnel have been operating there in small groups for weeks, tracking down rebel positions.
The Tigers have confirmed that six of their members were killed in the latest clashes on Thursday.The Tigers have confirmed that six of their members were killed in the latest clashes on Thursday.
Two more rebels lost their lives there on Wednesday, according to the government and mortar fire has been continuing.Two more rebels lost their lives there on Wednesday, according to the government and mortar fire has been continuing.
Much of the fighting in Sri Lanka has now shifted to the north of the island where the Tigers operate what amounts to a mini state.Much of the fighting in Sri Lanka has now shifted to the north of the island where the Tigers operate what amounts to a mini state.
Senior government officials have vowed to wipe the rebels out militarily within two to three years.Senior government officials have vowed to wipe the rebels out militarily within two to three years.
They have already been driven from many areas they controlled in the east of the country.They have already been driven from many areas they controlled in the east of the country.
But the Tigers still remain in the jungles of Thoppigala where the defence ministry says five rebels were killed on Thursday.But the Tigers still remain in the jungles of Thoppigala where the defence ministry says five rebels were killed on Thursday.