imported>IDB.S: Errors Fixed

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{{Update|inaccurate=yes|date=August 2010}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}}
{{Main|Northern Theatre of Eelam War IV}}
{{Infobox military conflict
| conflict = Battle of Mullaitivu
| partof = the [[Sri Lankan civil war|Sri Lankan Civil War]], [[2008–2009 SLA Northern offensive]]
| image =
| caption =
| date = 2–25 January 2009
| place = [[Mullaitivu]], northern [[Sri Lanka]]
| coordinates = {{coord|9.266667|80.81667|type:event|display=inline}}
| map_type = Sri Lanka
| map_size = 150
| map_caption = Location of Mullaitivu
| territory = [[Mullaitivu]] regained by the [[Politics of Sri Lanka|Government of Sri Lanka]]
| result = Sri Lankan Army victory
| combatant1 = {{flag|Sri Lanka}}
* [[File:Coat of arms of Sri Lanka.svg|18px]] [[Military of Sri Lanka]]
| combatant2 = {{Flagicon image|Tamil Eelam Flag.svg|15px}} [[Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam]]
| commander1 = [[Mahinda Rajapaksha]] : [[Gotabaya Rajapaksa]] : [[Sarath Fonseka]]: [[Nandana Udawatta]] [[Laksiri Waduge]]
| commander2 = [[Velupillai Prabhakaran]]
| strength1 = [[Sri Lanka Army]]: [[59 Division (Sri Lanka)|59 Division]]: > 7,000<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601080&sid=aMaBWytgG884&refer=asia | work=Bloomberg | title=Sri Lanka Says Soldiers Enter Last Town Held by Tamil Tigers | date=25 January 2009}}</ref> [[593 Brigade]] [[Gemunu Watch|7 Gemunu Watch]]
| strength2 = Unknown
| casualties1 = Unknown
| casualties2 = Unknown
| notes =
| campaignbox = {{Campaignbox Eelam War IV}}
{{Campaignbox Sri Lankan Civil War}}
}}
The '''Battle of Mullaitivu''' was a land battle fought between the [[Military of Sri Lanka|Sri Lankan Military]] and the [[Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam]] (LTTE) for the control of the town of [[Mullaitivu]] in the [[Northern Theatre of Eelam War IV|Northern Theatre]] of [[Eelam War IV]] during the [[Sri Lankan civil war]]. The town of Mullaitivu was the last stronghold of the LTTE. The government declared on 25 January 2009 that its troops had entered the town and were consolidating their positions.<ref name="MOD announcement">{{cite web|url=http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20090125_03|title=Troops enter Mullaittivu; LTTE main garrison town falls|date=25 January 2009|work=Ministry of Defence of Sri Lanka|publisher=Defence.lk|access-date=25 January 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090205011627/http://defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20090125_03|archive-date=5 February 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[File:Sri Lanka Mullaitivu District.jpg|thumb|Detailed map of Mullaitivu District]]

The [[Sri Lanka Air Force]] had been attacking LTTE positions in and around Mullaitivu for several days before the government troops claimed to have entered it.<ref name="bombings">{{cite news|url=http://www.zeenews.com/southasia/2009-01-23/501184news.html|title=SL Army captures LTTE camp, kills six rebels |date=23 January 2009|work=Zee News|access-date=25 January 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090131203318/http://www.zeenews.com/southasia/2009-01-23/501184news.html| archive-date= 31 January 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref> After the [[2008–2009 Battle of Kilinochchi|Battle of Kilinochchi]] (23 November 2008 – 2 January 2009), during which the Sri Lankan military captured the LTTE stronghold of [[Kilinochchi]], the Ministry of Defence had stated that the military's next target was Mullaitivu.<ref name="battle has begun">{{cite news|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2009/01/04/2003432886|title=Sri Lankan troops pursue Tamil Tigers|date=4 January 2009|work=Taipei Times|access-date=25 January 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090204040048/http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2009/01/04/2003432886| archive-date= 4 February 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref> Leaflets had been dropped by the Sri Lanka Air Force earlier over the town, urging civilians to come to government controlled "safe zones".<ref name="leaflets">{{cite news|url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/DM_BLOG/Sections/frmNewsDetailView.aspx?ARTID=38584 |title=Air force drops leaflets over safe zones in Mullaitivu |last=Najmuddin |first=Jamila |date=23 January 2009 |work=Daily Mirror |access-date=25 January 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090205125050/http://www.dailymirror.lk/DM_BLOG/Sections/frmNewsDetailView.aspx?ARTID=38584 |archive-date=5 February 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The government also suspended all civil administration work on 23 January to allow public servants to leave the area.<ref name="town cleared">{{cite news|url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/090125/News/sundaytimesnews_01.html|title=Govt. clears Mullaitivu for final assault|last=Kamalendran|first=Chris |date=25 January 2009|work=The Sunday Times|access-date=25 January 2009}}</ref> The army had allowed a {{convert|32|km|mi}} "safe area" inside the war zone for civilians to exit. Independent aid agencies report about 230,000 civilians were inside the war zone around the northern city.<ref name="Sri Lankan troops capture last big rebel town -army" />

==Background==
{{main|Battle of Mullaitivu (1996)}}
The LTTE captured the Mullaitivu military base and town in 1996, following a [[Battle of Mullaitivu (1996)|battle]] which resulted in at least 1639 soldiers being killed or missing.<ref name="1996 battle">{{cite news|url=http://sundaytimes.lk/961013/sitrep.html|title=Censorship out: then events unfurled|last=Athas|first=Iqbal|date=13 October 1996|work=The Sunday Times|access-date=27 January 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090131202209/http://sundaytimes.lk/961013/sitrep.html| archive-date= 31 January 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref> The LTTE used the town as their main military base since then.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.sindhtoday.net/south-asia/55915.htm |title=LTTE's last stronghold Mullaitivu captured: Lankan army chief (Roundup) |date=25 January 2009 |work=Sindh Today |access-date=27 January 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090131145854/http://www.sindhtoday.net/south-asia/55915.htm |archive-date=31 January 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref> A large base of the [[Sea Tigers]] was also located in Mullaitivu.<ref name="satp">{{cite web|url=http://www.satp.org/satporgtp/detailed_news.asp?date1=1/26/2009#1|title=Troops capture Mullaitivu Town|date=26 January 2009|publisher=South Asia Terrorism Portal|access-date=27 January 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090131134123/http://www.satp.org/satporgtp/detailed_news.asp?date1=1%2F26%2F2009#1|archive-date=31 January 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Mullaitivu had been a main target of the Sri Lankan military [[2008–2009 SLA Northern offensive|offensive]] in the [[Northern Theatre of Eelam War IV|Northern Theatre]] of [[Eelam War IV]].<ref name="main target">{{cite news|url=http://www.island.lk/2009/01/04/defence2.html|title=The Army wins the Day|last=Ferdinando|first=Shamindra |date=4 January 2009|work=The Island|access-date=27 January 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090131215230/http://www.island.lk/2009/01/04/defence2.html| archive-date= 31 January 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref>

==Battle==
Before the battle, public offices in Mullaittivu were closed for the weekend and government employees had moved out of the city ahead of the impending military action on 25 January. Civilians from Mullaittivu were also seen moving towards the north into the jungle areas where the LTTE guerrillas had retreated.<ref name="Sri Lankan troops seize last Tiger town">{{cite news|url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5g8ZfqunvM_5RDOx2JWk4FS-aLo7A|title=Sri Lankan troops seize last Tiger town|date=25 January 2009|publisher=AFP|access-date=25 January 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090131191028/https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5g8ZfqunvM_5RDOx2JWk4FS-aLo7A| archive-date= 31 January 2009 | url-status= dead}}</ref> On 24 January 2009, the LTTE had blown up a dam near the town which flooded the surrounding areas. LTTE fighters also built earth barriers, which made it difficult for the army to approach with heavy tanks.<ref name="Sri Lankan troops seize last Tiger town" />

Infantrymen of the Sri Lankan army's 7th Gemunu Watch first entered the town after facing fierce resistance from the LTTE.<ref name="Sri Lankan troops enter Mullaitivu, LTTE's last bastion" /> The ground forces were backed by [[Attack helicopter|helicopter gunships]] of the Sri Lankan Air Force. Sri Lankan troops also moved in with a small group of boats from the western side of Mullaittivu.<ref name="Sri Lankan troops seize last Tiger town" /> Later, the 59th Division was involved in the consolidating the captured town.<ref name="Sri Lankan troops enter Mullaitivu, LTTE's last bastion" /> Some LTTE fighters were later reported to be hiding in a small area between [[Vishwamadhu]] and [[Puthukkudiyiruppu (Mullaitivu)|Puthukkudiyiruppu]].<ref name="Sri Lankan troops enter Mullaitivu, LTTE's last bastion">{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/000200901251621.htm|title=Sri Lankan troops enter Mullaitivu, LTTE's last bastion|date=25 January 2009|work=The Hindu|access-date=25 January 2009|location=Chennai, India|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090129135633/http://hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/000200901251621.htm|archive-date=29 January 2009}}</ref>

==Aftermath==
With the fall of Mullaitivu, the LTTE lost approximately 95 percent of the land they had once controlled.<ref name="Sri Lankan troops capture rebels' major town ">{{cite news|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-01/26/content_10719921.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090129072858/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-01/26/content_10719921.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 January 2009|title=Sri Lankan troops capture rebels' major town |date=26 January 2009|publisher=XINHUA|access-date=25 January 2009}}</ref> [[Sarath Fonseka]], the commander of the Sri Lanka Army, then requested the public to celebrate the victory with dignity by hoisting the national flag.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20090125_05|title=Mullaittivu liberated; LTTE main garrison captured|date=25 January 2009|work=Ministry of Defence of Sri Lanka|publisher=Defence.lk|access-date=25 January 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090205011638/http://defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20090125_05|archive-date=5 February 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> Before the town was captured, the Sri Lankan army seized two nearby facilities used for making bombs and landmines that reportedly contained 4,000 detonators and 150 kg of explosives.<ref name="Sri Lankan troops capture last big rebel town -army">{{cite news|url=http://in.reuters.com/article/topNews/idINIndia-37648920090125?pageNumber=2&virtualBrandChannel=0 |title=Sri Lankan troops capture last big rebel town -army |date=26 January 2009 |publisher=Reuters |access-date=25 January 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090203153756/http://in.reuters.com/article/topNews/idINIndia-37648920090125?pageNumber=2&virtualBrandChannel=0 |archive-date=3 February 2009 }}</ref> The Sri Lankan army continued to target LTTE positions after the capture of Mullaitivu, and attacked remaining LTTE positions inside jungles.<ref name="remaining pockets targeted">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7850603.stm|title=Army targets 'last Tiger pockets' |date=26 January 2009|work=BBC News|access-date=26 January 2009}}</ref>

LTTE chief [[Velupillai Prabhakaran]] was said to be hiding in the last jungle areas held. However, the [[Government of Sri Lanka|Sri Lankan government]] was never certain of the exact location.{{Update after|2010|11}}<ref name="Cornered, Prabhakaran may end life">{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/south-asia/Cornered-Prabhakaran-may-end-life/articleshow/4031444.cms|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023025709/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-01-26/south-asia/28040325_1_cyanide-capsule-velupillai-prabhakaran-independent-tamil-state|url-status=live|archive-date=23 October 2012|title=Cornered, Prabhakaran may end life|date=26 January 2009|work=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=25 January 2009}}</ref> His body was found floating in a [[mangrove swamp]] after all resistance had ended. India and [[Malaysia]] had also taken steps to prevent Prabhakaran from entering their territories. Prabhakaran was wanted in India for the assassination of [[Prime Minister of India|Prime Minister]] [[Rajiv Gandhi]].<ref name="Sri Lankan troops seize last Tiger town" />

==International reactions==
*{{flagicon|IND}} [[Pranab Mukherjee]], [[Ministry of External Affairs (India)|Minister of External Affairs]], visited [[Colombo]] to put forth India's demand to extradite Prabhakaran if he is caught alive. India was to "seek the safety of Tamil population in Sri Lanka." However, Mukherjee stated that India has no sympathies with the LTTE which is a banned organisation in India.<ref name="India all for civilians, no sympathy for LTTE: Pranab">{{cite news|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/india-all-for-civilians-no-sympathy-for-ltte-pranab/83784-2-6.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090203071953/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/india-all-for-civilians-no-sympathy-for-ltte-pranab/83784-2-6.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 February 2009|title=India all for civilians, no sympathy for LTTE: Pranab|date=27 January 2009|publisher=IBN|access-date=27 January 2009}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Jonas Gahr Støre]], Foreign Affairs Minister of the [[Government of Norway]] said Norway condemned the "conduct of current hostilities causing unacceptable suffering of civilians" in the offensive, with International Development Minister [[Erik Solheim]] urging the parties to ensure that food and other humanitarian assistance reach the population – "The sick and wounded must be given access to treatment, and ambulances need to freely enter and leave the conflict area."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.regjeringen.no/en/dep/ud/press/News/2009/the-norwegian-government-unacceptable-su.html?id=543867|title = Regjeringen: - Uakseptable lidelser for sivile i Sri Lanka|date = 27 January 2009}}</ref> A health official reported that at least 300 civilians were wounded and scores killed by Sri Lankan army artillery shells fired into a designated "safe zone" for Tamils trapped by fighting between the military and Tamil rebels.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://news.aol.com/story/_a/official-300-wounded-in-sri-lanka/n20090127071409990102|title = AOL - News, Politics, Sports, Mail & Latest Headlines}}</ref> The Sri Lankan military denied firing into the zone, saying no hospitals or schools were hit.
*{{flagicon|UN}} The United Nations demanded safety of Tamil civilians in the [[Vanni (Sri Lanka)|Vanni]]. UN Secretary General [[Ban Ki-moon]] has expressed his "deep concern" over civilians trapped in the war zone.<ref name="Fears for civilians grow as Sri Lanka hammers rebels" />
*[[File:Emblem of the ICRC.svg|20px]] The [[International Committee of the Red Cross]] (ICRC) witnessed a major humanitarian crisis was unfolding, with hundreds killed, and hospitals and schools being hit. Reacting to body counts in the hundreds at local hospitals, The ICRC wanted to evacuate 200 wounded people for treatment, but could not obtain security clearance – they now faced certain death.<ref>[http://www.icrc.org/web/eng/siteeng0.nsf/html/sri-lanka-news270109!OpenDocument ICRC:Sri Lanka]</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7854601.stm | work=BBC News | title='Crisis unfolding' in Sri Lanka | date=27 January 2009 | access-date=26 April 2010}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|Germany}} Germany stated civilians had been cut off from international aid for more than 10 days and condemned the hostilities, calling for a negotiated ceasefire and a political agreement between the Sri Lankan Government and the Tamil rebels.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,3967746,00.html|title=Germany Calls for Aid to Refugees Caught in Sri Lankan Conflict | DW | 22.01.2009}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|USA}} US ambassador to Sri Lanka [[Robert O. Blake, Jr.|Robert Blake]] urged the Sri Lankan Army and LTTE to "ensure civilians are not caught in crossfire".<ref name="Fears for civilians grow as Sri Lanka hammers rebels">{{cite news|url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iMLJ0mH9ee4-RtshVvP_wlQbSSlg|title=Fears for civilians grow as Sri Lanka hammers rebels|date=28 January 2009|publisher=AFP|access-date=27 January 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090131230027/https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iMLJ0mH9ee4-RtshVvP_wlQbSSlg| archive-date= 31 January 2009 | url-status= dead}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Battle of Mullaitivu (2009)}}
[[Category:Conflicts in 2009|Mullaitivu]]
[[Category:2009 in Sri Lanka]]
[[Category:2008–2009 Sri Lankan Army Northern offensive|Mullaitivu]]
[[Category:Mullaitivu]]
[[Category:January 2009 in Asia]]

Battle of Mullaitivu (2009) - Revision history

imported>IDB.S: Errors Fixed