WORLD IN BRIEF : SRI LANKA : Government Troops Capture 2 Towns
Government troops have captured two towns just south of rebel-held Jaffna Peninsula, opening a major road into the stronghold of Tamil militants, military officials said. At least 96 of the separatist rebels and 13 soldiers were killed in the three-day operation, which gave the government control over Paranthan and Kilinochchi. Kilinochchi is linked by highway to the town of Jaffna, where the rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam is headquartered. Tamil militants have been fighting for an independent homeland since 1983.
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