COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, Aug. 22 (UPI) -- The Sri Lankan military has taken two more strategic locations in an offensive targeting the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam terrorist group.
Sri Lankan defense officials say troops from the 57 Division and Special Forces on Friday secured the areas of Thunukkai and Uyilankulam, south of Mullaitivu, after several days of fighting.
As a result, the Sri Lankan military operations have pushed farther north into areas formerly considered LTTE strongholds, the Sri Lankan government reported.
Since the January pullout of a cease-fire agreement with LTTE, the Sri Lankan government in Colombo has waged an aggressive offensive targeting the terrorist network.
Officials say heavy clashes ended Friday as Sri Lankan troops secured Thunukkai and Uyilankulam, while LTTE militants fled from the area, "unable to withstand the advancing troops," the release said.
