OPERATIONAL ASSESSMENT
The two parties agreed to have talks on 28 ^th and 29 ^th October.

 

The situation in the Jaffna peninsula remains tense. Direct confrontation between the Security Forces and the LTTE continued with the SF moving into LTTE areas across the FDL. Shelling was heard continuously from the Muhamalai area, with additional air strikes taking place over Pallai. The curfew from 1800hrs until 0600hrs remained in place.

Abductions and assassinations continued to take place, however to a lesser degree. The humanitarian situation remained precarious, with lack of basic foodstuffs as well as fuel. The schools continued to stay closed. One claymore mine exploded, killing one and injuring one.

 

In Vavuniya one claymore exploded, targeting SLA and one shooting incident took place in the South of town. The situation in Vanni remained tense with patrolling in the area limited due to air strikes and ongoing shelling in the Northern part.

 

In Mannar area two major incidents took place; an attack on the security forces in Murunkan, and shelling towards SLA in Uliyankulam. Neither incident led to casualties. Additionally two claymores were found in the same areas but were defused. Military presence increased towards the end of the week.

 

In Trincomalee area the SLA moved in to and captured the Ralkuli area West of Muthur, simultaneously with fighting breaking out in the Southern parts. LTTE Trincomalee was closed in between the two advancing lines, with estimates of approximately 700 cadres remaining in the area. Additionally the intensified fighting led to the IDPs moving back northwards in order not to be stuck in the middle. There were also reports that large numbers of Tamils have left Trincomalee. Shelling from the Trinco bases towards the Muthur area started again towards the end of the week.

 

Tension in Batticaloa remained high throughout the week with several attack on camps in LTTE controlled area in the South taking place before fighting erupted in the Vakarai area towards the end of the week. Shelling also continued in the Vavunatheevu area. Tension in the Muslim areas decreased.

On Friday attacks on the LTTE took place in Vakarai by the SLA and in Panichankerni by the Karuna group. Fighting pursued in in the Northern areas as a result. Air strikes and bombardment from SLN boats were used as well as continuous shelling from Mankerni. Casualty numbers from the fighting are not clear, but at least 50 people seemed to have been killed during the first few days. The fighting was taking place in areas were IDPs were seeking refugee but civilian casualties are unknown. SLMM monitored exchange of dead bodies between the parties.

 

The placing of their checkpoints remained the same after the attacks. Abduction of both children and adults continued in the area likely to have been committed by the Karuna faction.

 

In Ampara the situation remained relatively calm, with only a small number of incidents except for the shelling of LTTE areas in Thirukkovil and Wellaweli.

There was an increase in complaints about harassment of civilians by SLA and STF personnel in the Colony areas and abduction cases continued on a high level. There seem to be possibilities of tension heightening in the Northern parts of the AOR, but the rest of the area seem likely to remain calm.

 

In Vanni the security forces were reported to have made some advancement in Muhamalai, however, SLMM has not yet been able to visit the new FDL for confirmation of this. In Mullaitivu, Pallai and Poonaryn air strikes occurred five days in a row. Fighting is expected to continue.