Sri Lankan Security Forces Capture Key Rebel Base, 34 Killed

Colombo, Sri Lanka (AHN) - The Sri Lankan military has said that they have captured a key Tamil Tiger rebel base in the north on Friday.

The capture comes a day after 32 rebels and two soldiers were killed in the same region in clashes between the rebels and the security forces.

The military captured the Michael Base in the Mullaitivi district, a stronghold of the rebels after three days of continuous fighting.

Casualty details have not yet been released by the military.

Other clashes were also reported from Vavuniya, Mannar and Welioya regions on Thursday. Several clashes in Mannar resulted in a casualty of 24 guerrillas and two soldiers.

Twenty-five soldiers were wounded along with 10 soldiers.

Battles in Vavuniya and Welioya returned a casualty of 12 rebels and four soldiers.

The rebels have been fighting the government since 1983 demanding the creation of a separate state for the minority Tamil community.