3 Attacks by Rebels Reportedly Kill 66 Civilians in Sri Lanka
Tamil rebels reportedly carried out their deadliest assault on civilians in years Saturday, a day after they blew up storage tanks at the country’s two main oil depots.
Military officials said the rebels attacked three villages in northeastern Sri Lanka. At least 66 civilians were reported dead.
The victims were from the majority Sinhalese group, who the Tamils claim discriminate against them.
A military spokesman, Maj. Tilak Dunuwille, said the attack was an attempt to divert the military from its offensive in the north, which was in its fifth day Saturday.
More than 35,000 troops are pushing toward Jaffna Peninsula, a rebel stronghold 185 miles north of Colombo. The military said at least 93 soldiers and 257 rebels have been killed.
On Friday, rebels blew up storage tanks at the country’s two main oil depots in Colombo, the capital. Twenty-six people died in fighting at the depots on Friday, and gun battles continued Saturday.
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