Mullivaikkal Hospital bombings

Mullivaikkal Hospital Bombings refer to a series of attacks that took place during the final stages of the Sri Lankan Civil War, specifically targeting the makeshift hospital in Mullivaikkal, in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka. These incidents occurred in May 2009, amidst intense fighting between the Sri Lankan Army and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), a separatist militant organization that had been fighting for an independent Tamil state in the north and east of the island since 1983.

Background

The Sri Lankan Civil War, which lasted from 1983 to 2009, was marked by numerous battles, suicide bombings, and mass displacements of civilians. The conflict stemmed from ethnic tensions between the majority Sinhalese population and the minority Tamils. By early 2009, the government launched a final offensive against the LTTE, pushing them into a small coastal strip in Mullivaikkal along with thousands of civilians.

The Bombings

As the conflict reached its zenith, the Mullivaikkal area, densely packed with civilians and LTTE fighters, witnessed severe shortages of food, medicine, and clean water. The makeshift hospital in Mullivaikkal became a critical center for treating the wounded and sick. Reports indicate that despite its status as a medical facility, the hospital was shelled on multiple occasions between April and May 2009. These attacks resulted in significant casualties among patients and medical staff, severely hampering the provision of medical care to the wounded.

International Response

The bombings drew widespread international condemnation. Human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), highlighted the attacks as violations of international humanitarian law, specifically the principles of distinction and proportionality, which protect medical units during armed conflicts. Despite the outcry, access to the conflict zone for humanitarian aid and independent observers was heavily restricted, making it difficult to ascertain the full scale of casualties and damage.

Aftermath

The end of the civil war in May 2009 saw the defeat of the LTTE and the reassertion of government control over the entire country. However, the legacy of the Mullivaikkal Hospital bombings and other alleged war crimes committed during the conflict remains a contentious issue. Efforts to seek accountability have been met with resistance, and the Sri Lankan government has faced criticism for not adequately investigating or addressing these allegations.

The events at Mullivaikkal have since become a symbol of the war's devastating impact on civilians and have fueled calls for reconciliation and accountability in Sri Lanka. The need for a comprehensive approach to address the grievances of all communities affected by the conflict is widely recognized as essential for lasting peace and stability in the country.

See Also

• Sri Lankan Civil War
• Humanitarian law
• War crimes in Sri Lanka

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