Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam

Tamil Eelam Flag

Uniform of LTTE Cadres

LTTE leaders at Sirumalai camp

LTTE bike platoon north of Killinochini may 2004

Amma-4--maveerarnaal-2002

Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), also known as the Tamil Tigers, was a Tamil nationalist and militant organization that was based in the northeastern part of Sri Lanka. Founded in May 1976 by Velupillai Prabhakaran, the LTTE fought for the creation of an independent state named Tamil Eelam in the north and east of Sri Lanka, for the Tamil minority. The conflict between the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE is a central part of the Sri Lankan Civil War, which lasted from 1983 until 2009.

History[edit | edit source]

The origins of the LTTE can be traced back to the early 1970s, when Tamil political movements began to adopt a more militant stance in response to perceived discrimination and the failure of peaceful negotiations with the Sri Lankan government. The LTTE quickly rose to prominence among these groups due to its organizational skills and military tactics. Under Prabhakaran's leadership, the LTTE carried out numerous attacks against the Sri Lankan military and government targets, as well as against civilians, which included the Sinhalese majority and Muslims, leading to its designation as a terrorist organization by several countries.

Ideology[edit | edit source]

The LTTE was driven by a strong nationalist ideology, seeking to establish an independent Tamil state. This was in response to systemic discrimination and violence against Tamils by successive Sri Lankan governments, which fueled the ethnic tensions that led to the civil war. The LTTE's vision of Tamil Eelam was based on the right to self-determination for the Tamil people in Sri Lanka.

Tactics and Operations[edit | edit source]

The LTTE was known for its military capabilities, including a conventional army, a navy (the Sea Tigers), and even a rudimentary air force (the Air Tigers). They were pioneers in the use of suicide bombers, known as the Black Tigers, and carried out numerous high-profile attacks, including the assassination of Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1991 and Sri Lankan President Ranasinghe Premadasa in 1993. The LTTE's use of child soldiers and its involvement in human rights abuses have been widely criticized.

Demise[edit | edit source]

The LTTE's strength began to wane in the 2000s, culminating in a major government offensive that led to the capture of the LTTE's capital, Kilinochchi, in January 2009. The final stages of the conflict were marked by heavy civilian casualties and allegations of war crimes. The LTTE was officially defeated in May 2009, with the death of Prabhakaran and other senior leaders, effectively ending the civil war in Sri Lanka.

Legacy[edit | edit source]

The defeat of the LTTE did not resolve the underlying ethnic tensions in Sri Lanka, and the Tamil population continues to face challenges. The end of the conflict has allowed for some development and reconstruction in the war-torn regions, but the quest for Tamil rights and reconciliation between communities remains ongoing. The international community has called for investigations into alleged war crimes committed by both the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE during the conflict.

Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam Resources
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