2008 a very bad year for LTTE - Strategy Page

The way things are going, 2008 is going to be a very bad year for the LTTE, states the renowned military website Strategy Page.

“In the North, there have been over a thousand casualties, most of them LTTE, so far this month. The LTTE have a lot of young, poorly trained, fighters on the front line. These LTTE forces are chewed up pretty bad by the Government troops, who have the benefit of air power and artillery,” Strategy Page said in a special report yesterday.

“Not much is heard from LTTE artillery anymore, largely because the supply of shells has been cut off. What artillery ammo they do have, is stockpiled for special operations. The LTTE has said it will stop recruiting children (teenagers) this month, but that is unlikely,” it said.

The LTTE is running short of manpower, because of combat casualties, and economic problems (lack of income and food). About 10 per cent of LTTE fighters were killed or wounded, or took sick this month, according to Strategy Page.

It said tourism was recovering in the island, with arrivals 20 percent higher than the same period last year. The Government is seen to have the fighting with the LTTE under control, and able to keep tourist areas safe from LTTE terrorism.

It pointed out that things were becoming difficult for the LTTE in southern India as well, with police making more arrests of LTTE arms smugglers. The police are now going after the LTTE purchasing agents, as well as those smuggling boats that have long operated out of south Indian ports.