By SPA,
Colombo, Sri Lanka : Sri Lanka’s air force bombed two Tamil Tiger rebel positions in the restive north Thursday, a day after 26 rebels and two soldiers were killed in
clashes, AP quoted the military as saying.
The casualties were the latest in the island’s escalating civil war, marked by near-daily airstrikes, sea and ground battles, as well as frequent bombings. The United Nations estimates that 200 civilians have been killed in targeted bombings so far this year.
Military spokesman Brig. Udaya Nanayakkara said an air force helicopter bombed a rebel operations center in Mannar district early Thursday, and minutes later fighter jets pounded a training base elsewhere in the same district.
He said the first attack was successful but gave no details on casualties or damages. He said there was no information available on the second airstrike.
Infantry battles Wednesday in the Vavuniya, Mannar and Welioya regions killed 26 rebels and two soldiers, Nanayakkara said.