COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, Aug. 14 (UPI) -- An air strike by the Sri Lankan military in the north of the country killed 14 Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam militant separatists Thursday.
The Sri Lankan government reported the LTTE deaths after the operation, which also resulted in the deaths of two Sri Lankan army soldiers, Adnkronos reported.
Officials say the operation took place in the northern Mullaittivu region, which is an LTTE stronghold. The Sri Lankan government, which withdrew from a cease-fire agreement with LTTE in January, says it is planning to aggressively target LTTE terrorist networks.
The surge in military operations and retaliation by LTTE operatives has forced thousands to flee their homes as a result of the violence.
"Many people have received basic humanitarian relief, but as the number of displaced persons increases, so do their needs," Anthony Dalziel, International Committee of the Red Cross deputy head of delegation in Sri Lanka, said in a statement as reported by Adnkronos.
"We are committed to staying the course and helping all those who have been affected by the most recent wave of violence."
