OPERATIONAL ASSESSMENT  

The situation is very volatile in the North and the East. This week saw the implementation of the GOSL’s regulations to curb terrorism and terrorism related activities. Moreover, there has been heavy fighting in the East, in the LTTE controlled pocket of Vakarai in between Trincomalee and Batticaloa. Furthermore shelling is continuing in the North. There are still targeted assassinations and claymore attacks in the whole AOR.

 

Jaffna has experienced sporadic shelling from both parties on the FDL. Both Muhamalai and Pooneryn are affected. There have been two murders in Jaffna, and two civilians were killed by a claymore explosion. Several abductions of civilians have been reported. GOSL forces have announced several confidence building measures: the curfew is now from 20:00 to 05:00, the supply of electricity and public transport are expected to improve. The shortage of food is still a serious problem though.

 

Vavuniya is calm but tense and people are worried as to what extent the introduction of the new regulations to curb terrorism will have an impact on their lives. The Police say they are receiving more reports of missing persons. There have been two claymore attacks against GOSL forces, killing two SLA soldiers.

 

Mannar is mostly calm and quiet. The A-30 may be blocked however at any time if a new front opens there. Increased numbers of LTTE cadres are observed in the area.

 

There has been shelling and exchange of small arms fire at Omanthai CP. Food is still short in Vanni.

 

Hostilities broke out near Kallar in the southern part of Trincomalee district on Wednesday 6 December. LTTE started shelling the area near Kallar and Serunawera, hitting a school in the initial volley, killing several civilians. The shelling has been near continuous since then, and some 3000 people are now displaced from Kallar and Serunawera to Kantale. The SLA has resumed their offensive into Vakarai. The SLA has newly established the 225 Brigade in Toppur, in southern Trincomalee district. TMVP cadres have been observed driving around carrying arms. In an episode eye-witnessed by the SLMM, armed TMVP cadres were seen checking the identity papers of residents of the Alles Garden IDP camp in Uppuveli.  Targeted killings are still taking place in Trincomalee, where 6 Tamils were murdered this week alone.

 

Fighting is ongoing in the Vakarai area in northern Batticaloa district. It is difficult to get independent information from the area as monitors have not been given access to enter the area. Tamil IDPs are trapped inside LTTE controlled areas. According to reports received by the SLMM, the ICRC has attempted to get them out by sea. There are conflicting reports of casualties due to the fighting. Heavy artillery, MBRL, Main Battle Tanks, aircraft and naval units have been used in the fighting. There was one murder in Eravur. SLMM is aware of twelve abductions in Batticaloa district, several of which are children.